News Release: Areto and FIFPRO Asia/Oceania Partner to Protect Women Athletes from Online Abuse Ahead of AFC Women’s Asian Cup

Technology will help women footballers reduce and remove harmful online behaviour during the tournament in Australia, starting 28 Feburary.

Edmonton, Canada, February 25, 2026 — Areto has partnered with FIFPRO Asia/Oceania to provide women footballers competing in the 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup with tools to reduce and remove online abuse, beginning February 28 in Australia.

Women athletes from the 12 teams will have access to Areto’s platform, which automatically detects and removes harmful online content in real time. This ensures that abusive posts are addressed immediately, without waiting for anyone to intervene, while giving teams, unions, and support networks the insight they need to protect player welfare. The partnership recognizes that online abuse disproportionately affects women in sport, making safeguarding a critical part of athlete wellbeing and fan engagement.

Jacqueline Comer, Founder and Chief Product Officer at Areto, says, “Women athletes shouldn’t have to face online abuse while preparing to perform at the highest level, but we know they do, and we know it’s more targeted, more personal and more violent. Our platform actively helps reduce and remove harmful content, giving players and their support teams the insight and tools they need to focus on the game — not the abuse.”

“Major international tournaments bring incredible opportunities for players, but they also come with heightened risks and pressures,” said Shoko Tsuji, Secretary General of FIFPRO Asia/Oceania. Our role is to ensure players are supported not only on the pitch, but in every aspect of their professional lives, whether that is from integrity threats, online abuse, or promoting positive mental health…so they can perform at their best.”

Insights and actions taken during the competition will also contribute to broader efforts to improve safeguarding for women in sport, helping organizations like FIFPRO develop more effective responses to online harm and ensuring women athletes can participate safely at the highest levels.