BREAKING NEWS: FIA Partners with UNESCO to Combat R…read more
FIA Partners with UNESCO to Combat Racism in Sports
The International Automobile Federation (FIA) has officially teamed up with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in a new initiative aimed at tackling racism and discrimination in sports. The collaboration is part of the FIA’s ongoing commitment to fostering a more inclusive and respectful sporting environment, reinforcing the governing body’s stance against prejudice and online abuse.
Key Aspects of the Partnership:
– FIA has signed UNESCO’s ‘Fit for Life’ pledge, a global initiative promoting diversity, equality, and social cohesion through sports and education.
– The project will operate under the FIA’s United Against Online Abuse (UAOA) campaign, which focuses on monitoring, analyzing, and countering abusive behavior directed at athletes and competitors.
– FIA’s research and data analysis will contribute to UNESCO’s international network of UN member states, helping to develop comprehensive strategies for combating racism in sport.
The Growing Crisis of Online Abuse in Sport
As part of this collaboration, FIA will support UNESCO’s efforts to address the increasing levels of discrimination in sports, particularly online abuse. Recent findings from the 2025 UAOA Online Abuse in Sport Barometer highlight the severity of the issue:
– 50% of all online abuse directed at athletes is either misogynistic or racist, marking a concerning rise from 2023.
– Social media platforms have become a major battleground for discrimination, with athletes from various sports facing targeted harassment.
– The need for stronger education, awareness, and intervention measures has never been greater.
The findings indicate that without action, the issue of racism and online abuse in sports will continue to escalate, affecting both individual athletes and the broader sporting community.
FIA’s Commitment to Change
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, emphasizing its significance in driving positive change.
“We are honored to partner with UNESCO and join forces with their Fit for Life Network. This collaboration marks a pivotal moment in our shared commitment to fostering inclusivity, respect, and equality in sport and society.”
Ben Sulayem highlighted the FIA’s dedication to using its UAOA expertise to combat online abuse, noting that the issue has far-reaching consequences beyond sports. He stressed that by combining knowledge, resources, and influence, this initiative can push for real, meaningful change.
“This initiative goes beyond the boundaries of sport, creating an environment where racism, discrimination, and prejudice are no longer tolerated. Together, we can raise awareness, promote education, and implement concrete actions to dismantle harmful stereotypes and behaviors.”
The newly launched initiative is expected to strengthen FIA’s efforts in reducing online abuse and ensuring a safer, more inclusive sporting landscape. Moving forward, FIA and UNESCO will focus on:
– Developing research-driven strategies to better understand and counteract online abuse.
– Collaborating with social media platforms to enhance content moderation and reporting mechanisms.
– Expanding educational programs that promote diversity and inclusion at all levels of sport.
– Engaging athletes, teams, and stakeholders to encourage proactive efforts in fighting racism.
This partnership marks a significant step toward eliminating discrimination in sports, setting a precedent for other organizations to take action and support inclusivity across all levels of competition.
