Warning: This article contains references and screenshots of offensive language.
More than 2,000 extremely abusive social media posts, including death and rape threats, were directed at managers and players in the Premier League and Women's Super League over just one weekend, according to a BBC investigation.
This analysis, conducted in collaboration with data science company Signify, examined posts made during 10 Premier League matches and six Women's Super League (WSL) games on the weekend of November 8 and 9. It uncovered messages that included racist slurs, homophobia, and threats of violence.
Managers received more abuse than players, with 82% of the offensive posts appearing on X (formerly known as Twitter). Premier League managers Ruben Amorim, Arne Slot, and Eddie Howe were the primary subjects of abuse in the men's league. In the Women's Super League, Chelsea and their manager Sonia Bompastor were the targets of 50% of all abusive posts.
Findings show that 61% of abusive messages originated from accounts based in the UK and the Republic of Ireland, and the data indicates that the number of such incidents is increasing.