Stronger policies and accountability measures to safeguard women athletes online are being called for, as part of a new study on the issue focusing on the case of former footballer Joey Barton.
A team from the universities of Manchester, Chester, Hull, Durham and Loughborough investigated misogynistic online rhetoric directed at women and girls in sport. Their paper analyses three event timeframes on the social media platform X where Barton targeted two female football players and a female pundit with abusive language, and the public response.
They looked at social media data focusing on public condemnation, criticism and accountability, wider implications, and the symbolic use of emojis to convey violence. For each event, the team analysed up to around 6,500 posts.
Their findings reveal a pervasive culture of misogyny – defined as hatred of women – and online violence against women in sport with an intersection of gender, race, and online abuse amplified by social media platforms. The team outlines how the results serve as a stark reminder of the work that remains to be done in creating a safer and more equitable digital landscape.
The study, the team adds, provides evidence for policymakers, sports bodies, and social media platforms to drive cultural change through countermeasures such as robust and effective moderation and campaigns for safer online spaces and gender equality in sport.
Dr Alex Fenton, Associate Professor in Digital Transformation at the University of Chester said: “This important research, conducted by the team and University of Chester students, shines a light on the toxic culture that persists in online sports communities. By examining high profile cases, we show how misogyny and misogynoir are amplified through social media, creating real-world harm for women and girls in sport. It’s time for platforms, policymakers, and sports organisations to take decisive action to make these spaces safer and more inclusive.”
Dr Rosy Boardman, of the University of Manchester, added: “Our research shows how influential figures can radically shape the tone and trajectory of online conversations. When individuals with large followings use their platforms to normalise misogyny or direct hostility toward women in sport, they don’t just express an opinion – they legitimise harmful narratives that would otherwise remain on the fringes. Their words act as accelerants, fuelling polarisation and creating digital environments where abuse becomes routine.
