UEFA launch Real Scars campaign to tackle online abuse

Shoot the Company, the award-winning production agency, has been at the centre of a new Respect Campaign for UEFA called, ‘Real Scars’.

Released alongside the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 on 6 July, the campaign highlights the devastating effects of online abuse directed at football players, coaches and officials across social media platforms and educate them on how to best defend themselves against such abuse.

The Real Scars campaign is supported by Olympique Lyonnais and France star Wendie Renard, Chelsea FC and Italy midfield player Jorginho, and Aston Villa FC and Switzerland player Alisha Lehmann, all of whom have suffered or witnessed abuse online.

The video will be shown online and on the giant screen at all UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 matches. The campaign will also be featured on perimeter boards and in match programmes during the tournament along with being available on UEFA.tv

The film was shot and produced by Shoot the Company, as part of their ongoing work with UEFA which has already included the production of the multiple award-winning OUTRAGED documentary that explored attitudes to Racism, Homophobia, Sexism and Refugee Inclusion in football and to ask, what more can be done by everybody to eradicate hate from the game.

Shoot the Company is one of the UK’s leading, boutique film-makers, known for bringing a unique collaborative and creative culture to sport and business projects for the past 15 years. People and storytelling are at the core of everything they do, which is why Shoot the Company is the trusted, long-term partner of clients such as FIFA, UEFA, Barclays and McDonalds.

Tom Hillier, co-founder of Shoot the Company said, “shoot the Company is delighted to be working with UEFA on another incredibly important film. It is an honour for us to be involved in such an inspiring and important message surrounding the game we love, and to add strength to the message that online abuse leaves scars.

“We’d like to thank all the incredible role models in this film for sharing such personal stories to support future generations and eradicate hate from the game.”

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