In a significant and concerning development, the anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out has reported a staggering increase in incidents of discrimination in football during the 2024-25 season. Among the most alarming trends highlighted are marked rises in sexism, transphobia, and faith-based abuse. This report not only raises alarms about the immediate implications for fans and players alike, but it also emphasizes the ongoing challenges faced by the football community in addressing discrimination at all levels of the sport.
Kick It Out, which was originally established to combat racism in football in 1993, has systematically expanded its mission over the years to include all forms of discrimination. The organization has documented a record total of 1,398 discrimination incidents reported this past season, a rise from 1,332 the previous year. This reflects a disturbing trend where discrimination is becoming more pervasive within the game, indicating a need for urgent action.
One of the most notable statistics is that reports of sexism and misogyny have surged by 67%. The figures from the 2023-24 season showed 115 incidents, which escalated to an alarming 192 the following year. Similarly, reports of faith-based abuse increased from 117 to 132, while the number of transphobic incidents witnessed a staggering doubling—from 22 to 44. Additionally, incidents reported in girls’ football saw a notable uptick, doubling from the previous season to reach a total of 31 incidents, including two at the under-9 level. Overall, youth football saw a rise in reported discrimination, climbing from 144 to a record high of 186 incidents, which underscores a broader societal issue.
Interestingly, despite the overall rise in reported discrimination across the board, incidents of racism registered a slight decline overall. However, in the professional game, numbers increased from 223 to 245, suggesting that while awareness and reporting channels may be improving, discriminatory behaviors persist in more visible sectors of football.
The findings also reveal specific patterns across various forms of abuse related to online and grassroots football. For instance, there were 621 reports of online abuse, representing a 5% increase from the previous year, with 268 instances tied to racism. Remarkably, reports of sexist chanting have nearly matched the total from the previous four seasons combined, standing at 18 incidents for the 2024-25 season. Grassroots football accounted for 325 reports, which is an increase from the previous season’s 303. While homophobic abuse has displayed a slight decrease, from 162 to 139 reports, abuse against disabled individuals has risen significantly, with incidents surging by 45% from 51 to 76.
Samuel Okafor, Chief Executive of Kick It Out, has articulated the pressing need for serious action against such pervasive forms of discrimination, emphasizing that despite a more visible response to sexist behavior, the rise in abuse—particularly in youth football—should serve as a clarion call for all stakeholders. He highlighted the shortcomings of online platforms in combating abuse, noting that those responsible for such acts often evade consequences. “It’s clear that online platforms are still falling short,” Okafor stated, urging football authorities, technology companies, and government bodies to enhance their efforts in addressing these alarming trends.
The overall summary of the report by Kick It Out reflects an urgent call to action, not only for football authorities but also for society as a whole. With fans increasingly willing to speak up against discrimination, the ball is now in the court of institutions, technology companies, and governmental entities to step up their commitment to creating a more inclusive and respectful environment within football and beyond, where equality prevails, and discrimination becomes a thing of the past.
