Kick It Out, the UK's leading anti-discrimination charity, has reported a record 1,398 incidents of abuse during the 2024/25 football season, marking a 5% increase from the previous year.
Racism remains the most prevalent form of discrimination, accounting for nearly half of all reports. However, there has been a significant rise in reports of sexism and misogyny, which increased by 67% compared to the previous season.
The surge in reports is partly attributed to heightened awareness and a growing intolerance of discriminatory behavior among fans. Kick It Out's CEO, Samuel Okafor, emphasized the need for a unified approach to address these issues and called for stronger action from all stakeholders in football.
The charity has launched the 'Football United' five-year strategy, aiming to tackle discrimination and under-representation in English football. This initiative seeks to make the sport more inclusive and welcoming for all participants.
The increase in reported incidents underscores the ongoing challenges in eradicating discrimination from football. It highlights the importance of continued efforts and collaboration among all involved to create a more inclusive environment within the sport.