World Cup linked to more than 50,000 hate messages on social media | OneFootball

The World Cup flooded social platforms for more than a month, and hate speech rose with it.

According to Superdeporte, the Observatorio Español del Racismo y la Xenofobia, OBERAXE, detected close to 55,000 hate messages on social platforms between 11 June and 21 July, and 52% had a direct link to the World Cup.

North African players were the main targets, receiving 66% of posts. Lamine Yamal faced a surge after his only goal celebration, where he performed the Muslim suyud gesture.

France’s national team, which includes many players of African origin or ancestry, was also attacked, with claims questioning their legitimacy to represent the country.

The final between Spain and Argentina became a flashpoint, with rivalry used to drive abuse against Latin American people, who received 15% of the total.

OBERAXE found 74% of messages dehumanised and degraded target groups. About half used explicitly violent language, and 14% incited aggression.

A further 40% framed migrants or people of foreign descent as a burden or a setback for society, and 15% called for their expulsion from Spanish territory.

Source: Superdeporte