Tackling online abuse in sport #sportaccord

Wayne Barnes refereed 111 international rugby matches in an outstanding career, which culminated in the Rugby World Cup Final of 2023 in Paris. But that final match also represented the peak of the online abuse he suffered at the hands of angry, and usually anonymous, fans. Threats to his house, his family and his life were part of the slew of invective he received. We talk about these experiences and how they affected a man described as ‘the most accomplished and vilified referee in world rugby’. Wayne Barnes, Former World Cup Referee, in a Keynote Conversation with David Eades. The SportAccord 2024 brought together around 1,700 leaders and key decision makers from over 120 International Federations (IFs), the International Olympic Committee, and organisations involved in the business of sport. The SportAccord provides an unrivalled platform enabling global business leaders and host cities to have access to all the International Federations and their stakeholders in one location over several days. This unique, week-long event is a combination of official sports meetings, social networking gatherings, a themed conference programme, and exhibition space enabling International Federations, industry, cities and regions to showcase and advance their sport, services and facilities. #sportaccord #wheresportmeets #PowerOfSport #sports #sport