Introduction to Human Rights in Football
Last summer, the organizers of men’s football in Germany agreed to focus on human rights during the one-month tournament. The management committee of European Football, the UEFA, the German Football Association (DFB), the German government, and the German states and cities where games were held all promised to prioritize "democracy, respect, equality, and the promotion and protection of human rights" during Euro 2024.
Efforts to Improve Human Rights
This summer, organizers of the women’s Euros in Switzerland are planning to improve such efforts. The Swiss government and other associations and institutions participating in the tournament signed a declaration in March, committing to "diversity, equal opportunities, and inclusion in and through sport". The Human Rights Advisory Board for the women’s tournament is using non-governmental organizations that were also used in Germany.
Benefit from Euro 2024
Building on the experiences of the UEFA Euro 2024 Advisory Board, representatives of the authorities, including the European Commission and the Swiss Foreign Ministry, have been included to ensure a more comprehensive approach to human rights. Sylvia Schenk, a former middle-distance runner from Transparency International Germany, was a member of this board. She stated that the formation of the Human Rights Advisory Board was an important step, and that it was not thrown together at the last minute like it was last year.
Steps in the Right Direction
The organizers have taken part in the assessment of the risks of human rights violations in Euro 2025. UEFA, the Swiss FA, and the eight host cities have implemented some of the board’s suggestions in their planning. Anyone who feels threatened or discriminated against in the stadiums can report it using a QR code displayed on posters. "Awareness teams" will be available to react to incidents in the stadiums. Complaints about human rights violations can also be submitted to the UEFA via the tournament app or website.
External Law Firm Assesses Reports
During Euro 2024, a law firm in Frankfurt, hired by the UEFA, assessed almost 400 reports of human rights violations. Most of them were political, such as nationalist or right-wing statements, gestures, or symbols attributed to players or fans. Only a small number of cases of sexual harassment and racial discrimination were reported. Another focus is on combating cyberbullying, with social media accounts of around 700 players, coaches, and referees being monitored.
Combating Cyberbullying
At last year’s tournament, 666 offensive posts were reported on social platforms during the group phase alone. The vast majority of the posts were directed against players, with 90% involving hate speech. UEFA estimated the proportion of racist insults to be around 5% and homophobic statements to be 2.5%. The picture was different at the European Championship of Women in England in 2022, where UEFA made combating cyberbullying a priority for the first time, in cooperation with Meta, X, and TikTok.
Social Media Platforms Oblige Continuous Cooperation
Meta and X have changed their company guidelines after the re-election of US President Donald Trump and are now taking fewer measures against hate speech. However, UEFA does not expect this to have a significant impact on the fight against cyberbullying in Euro 2025. The social media companies have confirmed their commitment to working with UEFA and continuing to support efforts to protect the game.
Review of Hate Speeches
Schenk does not expect sexism to be a problem at the women’s tournament this summer, at least not in the stadiums. However, she acknowledges that it could play a bigger role in online hate comments. Salza, on the other hand, warns of the risk of verbal or physical sexual violence in the stadiums, as well as in fan zones and sensitive places such as train stations. She also warns of the risk of hate speech and violence arising from right-wing extremist movements.
