• The FIA’s United Against Online Abuse campaign will host its second global conference in Stockholm, Sweden on 9th September 2025 
• Key speakers will include representatives from The FA, ARISF, Sportradar and F1 Presenter Natalie Pinkham, highlighting the importance of protecting athletes, officials, volunteers, and fans from digital harm 

The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), the global governing body for motorsport and the federation for mobility organisations worldwide, has announced today that its flagship campaign, United Against Online Abuse (UAOA), will host its second global conference this September in Stockholm, Sweden. The event will bring together leading voices from the worlds of sport, politics, and social media to reaffirm their collective commitment to combatting online abuse. 

High-profile attendees will join forces to advance UAOA’s mission of eradicating online hate and creating a safer digital environment for all. These include representatives from The Football Association (FA), F1 Presenter Natalie Pinkham, Sportradar, Arwen.AI and the Association of IOC Recognised International Sports Federations (ARISF), which represents millions of athletes. 

Launched in 2023 by FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem and supported by the FIA Foundation, the UAOA campaign seeks to drive both regulatory and behavioural change in response to the growing threat of online harassment. In the last two years, UAOA has released groundbreaking research, spearheaded global awareness campaigns, and brought together key stakeholders to promote respectful and inclusive digital spaces. 

Mohammed Ben Sulayem, FIA President and Founder of UAOA, said: “Online abuse is a growing threat to the integrity of sport and the wellbeing of all who take part in it, from athletes and officials to fans and volunteers. Through the United Against Online Abuse campaign, we are taking collective action to push for real, lasting change. 

“This September’s global conference in Stockholm will be a vital moment to bring together experts, leaders and platforms to turn words into action. I am proud to see this coalition gaining strength, and I urge everyone, from policymakers and global governments to tech companies and social platforms, to join us in building a safer, more respectful digital world.” 

Anna Nordkvist, FIA Vice President for Sport – Europe and CEO of the Swedish Automobile Sports Federation, said: “I am proud to be hosting this key event in Stockholm, it is an initiative that reflects our strong national belief in the importance of protecting people and providing safe communities. Online abuse has no borders, and tackling it requires global cooperation and local actions. 

“By bringing this international conversation to Sweden, we hope to foster stronger alliances, share knowledge, and inspire practical solutions.” 

Valerio Iachizzi, FIA Secretary General for Sport, said: “The power of motorsport lies in its people, from the drivers competing at every level, to the Officials and Volunteers who make every race possible. No one should face abuse for doing their job or pursuing their passion and the United Against Online Abuse campaign is about protecting these individuals and safeguarding the values of respect, fairness, and inclusion that define our sport. 

“The upcoming conference will be an important opportunity to strengthen our shared commitment and ensure our community leads by example when tackling online hate.” 

This conference is a significant milestone for the UAOA campaign, firmly establishing it as the leading global coalition against online abuse in sport, bringing together sports federations, national governments, regulatory bodies, and technology platforms. To date, the UAOA coalition has welcomed endorsements from the Governments of Greece, France, Slovenia, Albania, Australia, Kenya, Costa Rica, Namibia, Georgia and Rwanda, alongside sport federations and organisations such as FIM, ARISF, IFAF, the International Esports Federation, ASETEK SimSports, Peace and Sport Monaco, UNESCO, the Council of Europe, Clark Hill LLP, Arwen.AI and DCU University. 

FIA UNIVERSITY STRENGTHENS SUSTAINABILITY EXPERTISE WITH APPOINTMENT OF DR MADELEINE ORR

The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), the global governing body for motor sport and the federation for mobility organisations worldwide, has today announced the appointment of Dr. Madeleine Orr as Visiting Professor at FIA University.
A globally recognised academic working at the intersection of sport and climate change, Dr. Orr joins the FIA as Visiting Professor, bolstering the Federation’s expertise in the field of environmental sustainability and furthering the FIA’s commitment to improve sustainable practices across motor sport and mobility.

Dr. Orr brings deep interdisciplinary expertise, with a PhD in Kinesiology (emphasis in Sport Management), Master’s degrees in both Natural Resource Science and International Event Management, and a strong record of published research and industry engagement. She has been recognised by Forbes 30 Under 30, Corporate Knights, and other international organisations for her contributions to sustainability and sport. Her recently published book, WARMING UP, examines how climate change is impacting sport, and how the sports world can fight back.

This appointment reflects the FIA’s commitment to drive innovation and data-led thought leadership in sustainability, not only within sport but also across the wider automotive industry. Dr. Orr’s role will support the development of high-impact research, cross-sector collaboration, and academic excellence at the FIA, benefiting both arms of its global mission.

As Visiting Professor, Dr. Orr’s responsibilities include conducting scholarly research, contributing to curriculum development, mentoring students, advising on research methodologies and representing the FIA University in academic and industry events. Two initial projects she is working on are focused on the climate impact to the World Rally Championship, and examining how to reduce emissions related to race calendars. Her work will not only enhance the FIA’s sustainability expertise but also reinforce the FIA University as a global hub for thought leadership.

The FIA University is the global leader in the accreditation, education and research of world motorsport and mobility. Its cutting-edge research informs public policy and strategy across sport and automotive industries, and serves as a vital resource for FIA Member Clubs around the world. It is supported by the FIA Foundation, the independent charitable arm of the FIA.

In 2024, over 250 participants, including Race Directors, Stewards and senior executives, graduated in specialist training programmes spanning sport governance through to advanced leadership. The University also sponsors six scholarship places for research in online abuse in sport at Dublin City University, as part the FIA’s flagship United Against

Online Abuse campaign which was awarded £400,000 by the EU’s Erasmus+ Programme from 2025-2027.

President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President at the FIA, said: “Improving sustainable practices across sport and mobility is an absolute priority for all of us at the FIA. Dr. Orr’s appointment strengthens the Federation’s expertise and leadership in this field, elevates the FIA University’s capabilities, and enables us to build on progress to date. I am excited to work with Dr. Orr to push the boundaries of what we can achieve.”

Dr. Madeleine Orr commented: “I’m honoured to join FIA University as a Visiting Professor. Sport is not only a powerful platform for entertainment—it’s a cultural force that can drive innovative solutions for complex challenges, including climate change. I look forward to advancing the FIA’s leadership in sustainability through research, education, and meaningful collaboration across sport and mobility.”

Willem Groenewald, FIA Secretary General for Mobility and Sustainability, said: “We are delighted to welcome Dr. Madeleine Orr to FIA University as Visiting Professor. Her data-led approach and specialist expertise in climate action will drive sustainable progress across motor sport and the wider automotive ecosystem.”

The FIA has launched a groundbreaking education programme as part of its ongoing commitment to combat online abuse in sport, the first sporting governing body to introduce such a resource. The interactive programme builds digital resilience within sporting organisations, offering competitors and officials critical insights into the triggers, targets, and various forms of online abuse, as well as the impact on individuals and society, and the legal frameworks available to combat it.

Launched in partnership with the FIA’s United Against Online Abuse (UAOA) campaign, the module will be distributed to FIA Member Clubs worldwide. The course provides interactive and engaging content designed to support learning and professional development as well as the tools and skills needed to combat online abuse. Upon completion, participants will receive an official certificate from FIA University, recognising their achievement.

Mohammed Ben Sulayem, FIA President and UAOA Founder said:

“The launch of this education module marks a significant milestone for the FIA, UAOA, and FIA University in our mission to promote continuous learning and professional development across FIA Member Clubs. I’m proud to lead the first sporting governing body to launch such an important resource.

“Through United Against Online Abuse, the FIA and the motorsport community is taking the lead in tackling online abuse across the sporting world and this initiative is a crucial resource to educate individuals on the risks of digital harassment and how they can enhance their online safety and resilience. I strongly encourage all FIA member clubs to complete this course and be part of the fight against online abuse.”

Recent findings from the United Against Online Abuse 2025 Barometer revealed that 89% of sporting federations believe sports governing bodies face increasing pressure to protect athletes from online abuse. This FIA UAOA Online Learning Module demonstrates the FIA’s leading work to promote education and action, empowering motorsport clubs with the knowledge to recognise, report, and respond to digital harassment effectively.

Clubs can now access the module through the FIAU E-Learning platform and enrol at their convenience. By offering a comprehensive understanding of online abuse, including its definitions, legal implications and key challenges, this module sets a new standard in digital safety education which the FIA is proud to be leading.

About United Against Online Abuse (UAOA)

Founded by FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem and supported by the FIA Foundation, UAOA unites sports federations, national governments, regulatory bodies, and technology platforms to drive regulatory and behavioural change in the fight against online harassment. Since its launch in 2023, the coalition has published groundbreaking research, spearheaded international campaigns, and brought together key stakeholders to promote safer and more inclusive digital spaces.

To date, UAOA has received endorsements from the Governments of Greece, France, Slovenia, Albania, Australia, Kenya, Costa Rica, Namibia, and Rwanda, alongside leading sports federations and organisations, including FIM, the International Esports Federation, ASETEK SimSports, Peace and Sport Monaco, UNESCO, the Council of Europe, Clark Hill LLP, Arwen.AI, and DCU University. The FIA was also awarded Peace and Sport’s Coalition for Peace Award in 2024, presented to FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem by Prince Albert II of Monaco in recognition of UAOA’s work building a united front against online abuse.

The modules, introduced by the FIA University, will provide further training and experience to medical staff, drivers and volunteers across motorsport

The safety and wellbeing of all motorsport participants is the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile’s (FIA) first priority, and as a knowledge-led federation the FIA continues to provide educational opportunities for the sporting community.

Building on the expansive offering available via the FIA University, the FIA has launched five new Motorsport Medicine eLearning Modules to provide educational support and help grow the medical knowledge of staff, volunteers and drivers across the global motorsport network.

Each module is tailored to different specialties, offering comprehensive guidance on best practices before, during, and after events.

The five modules have been developed by the FIA University in collaboration with the FIA Medical Commission and with the support of the FIA Foundation.

1. The Driver’s Handbook: As athletes, racing drivers must maintain peak physical and mental condition. This module focuses on fitness, medical checks, event preparation, and accident preparation to allowing drivers to perform necessary medical checks, follow event processes, and manage challenging situations effectively.
2. Understanding Concussion: Concussion education is key in keeping motorsport as safe as possible. This module educates drivers, medical staff, and teams on recognizing concussion symptoms, implementing correct response protocols, and managing safe returns to competition.
3. Duties of the Healthcare Professional: This module is designed to brief clinical staff of all levels, on how to operate safely within a motorsport environment. Covering pre-event preparation, in-event responsibilities, and post-event procedures, participants will gain knowledge on best practices in motorsport medical care.
4. Duties of the Chief Medical Officer: Aimed at current, deputy and aspiring Chief Medical Officers, this module provides a framework for leading medical operations at motorsport events. It includes key responsibilities, preparation processes, event-day medical leadership, and post-event duties to ensure effective medical management.
5. Principles of Pre-Hospital Care: This module is aimed at those new to the concept of pre-hospital care and at those already practicing in the field. Covering trauma kinematics, on-scene assessment, and emergency management, it equips participants with the skills needed to follow the correct procedures when handling specific motorsport medical scenes at the pre-hospital stage.

Each of these modules takes approximately 30 to 45 minutes to complete and is available via the FIA University website.

By completing these courses, participants will be better equipped to handle medical situations in motorsport and contribute to a safer racing environment.

FIA President, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, commented on the new modules saying: “As a Federation we are committed to providing the safest sporting environment possible, ensuring all staff and volunteers have access to the most up to date medical training available.

By expanding our educational resources, we are strengthening the global motorsport medical network, equipping professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to enhance safety both on and off the track.”

Dr. Sean Petherbridge, FIA Medical Commission President and FIA Medical Affairs Manager, said: “I fully support the FIA President’s vision of increasing accessibility and participation in motorsport while maintaining the highest safety standards. As our sport grows, so does the need for highly trained medical personnel, and these modules are an important step in supporting their development.

The modules provide essential knowledge for medical professionals at all levels, from newcomers to experienced Chief Medical Officers. Additionally, drivers will benefit from the Driver’s Handbook, which offers key insights into their own medical preparedness and how they can work effectively with medical teams at events.”

All five modules are now live and available on the FIA University eLearning platform for existing users: https://elearning.fia.com/learn/signin

New users can register for an account and enter FL044-MEDI into the Branch Code field to gain access.

For more information contact elearning@fia.com

The Global Observatory for Gender Equality & Sport publishes policy briefs on various topics related to gender and inequalities in the context of physical education, physical activity, and sport. The Policy Brief Series aims to provide concise research analysis and research-based recommendations to policy actors across government and sport governance bodies. Each Policy Brief is reviewed by at least two expert reviewers who are external to the Global Observatory and edited by the Global Observatory.  

Online Gender-Based Violence against Women and Girls in Sport

Abstract: Online gender-based violence (GBV) can include sexually explicit language, unpleasant remarks or social criticism connected to gender, gendered-microaggressions, sexual allusions, exaggerated rape and murder threats, and stalking. Violent interactions may be text or image-based and can target individuals directly and/or those closest to them.

Online GBV in sport curtails the rights of women and girls, impacts on their liberty, and poses a significant threat to their health, safety and wellbeing. The aim of this policy briefing is to share research perspectives on online gender-based violence against women and girls in sport and to make recommendations for global sporting organizations, online platforms, and governments who have a moral obligation to foster safer online communities.

Authors: Emma J. Kavanagh¹, Chelsea Litchfield², Jaquelyn Osborne², Keith D. Parry¹
¹Department of Sport and Event Management, Bournemouth University, Poole, UK
²School of Allied Health, Exercise and Sports Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Bathurst, Australia

Citation: Kavanagh, E.J., Litchfield, C., Osborne, J., and Parry, K.D. (2024). Online Gender-Based Violence Against Women and Girls In Sport. Gender and PEPAS Policy Brief Series. 1(1) Global Observatory for Gender Equality & Sport: Lausanne

To combat online hate speech, research is crucial to measure its prevalence and understand its causes and effects. International Sports Federations (ISFs) play a key role in athlete development and protection, including anti-doping and safeguarding athletes from abuse. There are over 300 ISFs globally, representing various sports.

This report examines the extent to which ISFs conduct and report primary research on hate speech in their sports. After searching 206 ISF websites and emailing 196 ISFs, we found only six English-language research reports published by ISFs. An additional six related research reports were identified. This Briefing Note provides an overview of these 12 reports.

Explore our findings and insights by downloading the full document.

This report reviews 68 peer-reviewed scholarly articles on online hate speech in sports, published between January 1, 2000, and October 18, 2023. Key findings include:

• Rapid increase in research on the topic in the last two years.
• Focus primarily on regions such as the USA (24%), UK (22%), and Australia (6%).
• Main sports studied include soccer, American football, basketball, and Australian rules football.
• Primary platforms studied: Twitter (41%), Facebook (19%), and Instagram (12%).
• Most researched types of hate: racism (37%), misogyny (24%), and homophobia (15%).
• Athletes are the main targets of online hate, with fans being the primary perpetrators.
• Predominant use of secondary data and qualitative methods in research.

This report not only highlights the major areas of concern but also identifies gaps in current research and offers recommendations for future studies. Download the full document to explore our findings and insights in detail.

The Fans’ Vision for the Future of Rallying

The FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) community has spoken. With over 11,000 responses, our latest survey reveals the undiminished passion for rally sport, emphasizing the appeal of its diverse conditions and authentic experiences. Fans are calling for the preservation of this variety, with a keen interest in endurance rallies and sustainable practices, while reflecting on the golden era of WRC as a blueprint for future excitement.

This report, guided by Professor David Hassan and enriched by insights from dedicated focus groups, not only charts the current state of fan engagement but also outlines a path forward for the WRC. Embracing nostalgia and innovation alike, it aims to ensure the Championship’s vibrant future and continued resonance with fans around the globe.

Join us as we delve into the heart of rally sport, guided by the voices of its most ardent supporters.

Embark on an engineering adventure with our International Engineering Scholarship.

Designed for aspiring global engineers, this program is your gateway to a future of innovation in motorsport leadership and management. This scholarship is a stepping stone to a world of innovation, leadership, and excellence in motorsport engineering.

Discover Our Education Programmes

Our scholarship aligns with FIA University’s commitment to providing advanced education in motorsport leadership and management. Immerse yourself in a learning environment that prepares you for the challenges of modern sports governance.

Engage with Our Research Initiatives

The scholarship also provides a chance to contribute to cutting-edge research that pushes the boundaries of motorsport engineering. We encourage our scholars to participate in doctoral and postdoctoral opportunities, fostering an environment where innovation thrives. Explore these opportunities in our Research section.

Become Part of Our Community

Joining our scholarship program means becoming part of a global community united against online abuse and advocating for positive change in the digital space. Find out more about our community values and initiatives at United Against Online Abuse.

Prepare for a Future in Motorsport Leadership

As a recipient of the Engineering Scholarship for International Students, you will be prepared to take on leadership roles within the dynamic field of motorsport. Our dedicated programs offer insights into the industry’s business side and the technological innovations driving it forward. Dive into our specialised content under Articles.

The 2024 Barometer Report, a landmark initiative by FIA University and funded by the FIA Foundation under the United Against Online Abuse campaign, unveils the pressing issue of online abuse in sports. Drawing from international federations’ insights, it highlights the critical need for united efforts to combat this digital menace, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between sporting bodies and online platforms. This report is a vital step towards a safer sporting environment online.

For more details, please read the article on FIA’s website here.