The EU Work Plan for Sport 2024–2027 introduces a new collaborative mechanism, the Open Method of Coordination (OMC). Its first thematic group, launched in October 2024, focuses on addressing hate speech in sport. Comprising experts from Member States and relevant organisations, the group recognises that hate speech can affect all sports disciplines, not only football. During its third meeting last week, members continued work on the final report, which will offer non-binding recommendations for policymakers, law enforcement authorities, and sport organisations.

The forthcoming report will examine the diverse manifestations of hate speech in sport, assess existing legal and policy frameworks, and highlight effective prevention and sanctioning measures. It will also explore emerging challenges, such as the role of artificial intelligence in detecting and generating hate speech, and propose forward-looking recommendations. Member States are expected to submit initial draft inputs by 1 November 2025, initiating the internal review process. The final report is anticipated to be finalised by mid-April 2026 and published in June 2026.