The CPS has extended its series of roundtables on prosecuting cases involving social media to include one in November with representatives invited from the FA, the England and Wales Cricket Board, the British Olympic Association and the Rugby Football Union.
Last month the Director of Public Prosecutions announced his intention to host the roundtables ahead of drafting new guidelines on the prosecution of cases involving social media.
Invites have been sent to the sport bodies following round tables held so far with academics, media lawyers, stakeholders, police and regulators and journalists and bloggers.
Keir Starmer QC, the Director of Public Prosecutions, said:
For more information about the roundtables, see DPP’s statement on Tom Daley case and social media prosecutions and the points for discussion on social media roundtables.“It has not gone unnoticed that the use of social media among those involved in and following sport is becoming more and more prevalent and a number of recent high-profile criminal cases have involved sports personalities.
“It is important that our draft guidelines on prosecuting cases involving social media are as fully informed as possible, which is why I have decided to hold a sixth meeting with sports organisations to seek their views on the issue.
“One of the points already discussed during the meetings held so far has been that of racism on social media. We know that a number of sports associations undertake significant work to tackle racism within their respective sports and I look forward to listening to the expertise of those invited on this and the other points for discussion.”
