In order to fight against cyberharassment of players and to help them talk about it, or even file a complaint, Provale put a form online this week to allow the reporting of any malicious act. Players are thus able to indicate through which channel they received insults or threats (X, Instagram, Facebook, text messages) and to enter written or voice messages in order to obtain help from Provale. , the players’ union, which indicates that it “will become a civil party” in any matter.
The annual cost of running this unit is estimated at several tens of thousands of euros and was deemed necessary by Provale managers following the increase in cases of players insulted or threatened in recent months. In February, several ASM Clermont-Auvergne players, including pillar Rabah Slimani and winger Alivereti Raka, received several nauseating messages after their team’s defeat at home against Toulouse (33-37).
Actions during the World Cup
During the World Cup, several referees were also victims of cyberharassment as well as players, including South African scrum-half from Montpellier Cobus Reinach, who lodged a complaint. Thanks to the online abuse program against World Rugby, an individual accused of cyberharassment against a referee was identified and located in Australia. This 22-year-old young man, originally from New Zealand, was sentenced a few days ago to a fine of 1000 Australian dollars (around 600 euros).
