European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) has appointed global data experts, Signify Group, to protect match officials, including TMOs, from online abuse and threats during the 2023/24 Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup season.

EPCR’s decision to take action against online threats reflects a key element of the tournament organiser's strategy – that of championing initiatives within rugby that support the health and wellbeing of match officials.

The implementation of online protection for match officials during EPCR’s tournaments provides a further step towards year-round collaborative solutions provided by Unions, Leagues and tournament organisers to tackle this form of unacceptable abuse.

During the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup, Signify’s world-leading Threat Matrix service, which operates in 35 languages and uses AI and open-source data to monitor social media at scale, will be activated to protect match officials by identifying, analysing and providing on-going support covering:

• Targeted online abuse and threats
• Immediate notification to EPCR of any identified fixated threats/inappropriate approaches
• Unmasking of abusers to enable action by EPCR and/or prosecution by law enforcement
• Identification and notification of abuse to social media platforms for action
• Analysis to identify trends and tactics to provide a clear understanding of how targeted abuse is directed at match officials and to assist with welfare
• Data and analysis that can be used for education and policy purposes

The service will also provide EPCR and match officials with support and investigations for any detected social media abuse or threats received via private Direct Messaging.

Signify will work alongside Theseus Risk Management to provide additional education and on-call resource to match officials experiencing issues.

Commenting on the launch of the online safety initiative, Dominic McKay, EPCR Chairman, said: "The welfare of match officials is a priority and that is why EPCR has taken the decision to put in place clear layers of protection. We saw the value of this approach during Rugby World Cup 2023 and it is important to put in place similar proactive protection measures for this season along with our partners."

EPCR Head of Match Officials, Tony Spreadbury, added: "We have seen a concerning increase in online and offline abuse and threats targeting match officials in rugby, and we want to send the message that this is absolutely unacceptable and we will monitor this.

"Our match officials are an incredibly important part of our tournaments and we are committed to protecting them as much as we can."

Jonathan Hirshler, CEO of Signify Group, added: "We are delighted to be supporting EPCR to protect its officials from online abuse and threats. Rugby has shown leadership and vision in this space, and we are confident that our approach will deliver real and tangible benefits for match officials who often face the most horrific abuse and threats online."

Andrew Wolfe Murray, Director of Theseus Risk Management, commented: "This is a terrific initiative brought in by EPCR, and we are pleased to support through the Threat Matrix service. The impact of abuse, harassment and threats is all too real in sport, and we look forward to helping combat these risks through early identification, assessment and management of concerning communication, both on and offline."