The 2024-25 football season has been marked by a distressing increase in reports of discrimination, according to the anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out. The organization has documented a record number of incidents, highlighting significant rises in sexism, transphobia, and faith-based abuse across all levels of English football.

Key Statistics from the Season

• Sexism and Misogyny: Reports surged by 67%, from 115 in the 2023-24 season to 192.
• Transphobia: Incidents doubled from 22 to 44.
• Faith-Based Abuse: Increased from 117 to 132.
• Youth Football: Reports involving girls' football doubled to 31, with overall youth reports reaching a record high of 186.
• Racism: While overall reports decreased, incidents in the professional game rose from 223 to 245.

Online Abuse and Grassroots Concerns

Online abuse saw a 5% increase, with 621 reports submitted, 268 of which were related to racism. Grassroots football also experienced a rise in reports, from 303 to 325. Notably, sexist chanting reports for 2024-25 almost matched the total from the previous four seasons combined.

Statements from Kick It Out

Samuel Okafor, Chief Executive of Kick It Out, emphasized that "discrimination remains deeply embedded across the game." He highlighted the rise in abuse in youth football as a wake-up call and called for greater action to tackle online abuse. "Online platforms are still falling short. The volume of abuse remains high, and too often those responsible face no consequences," Okafor stated.

Call to Action

Okafor urged football authorities, tech companies, and the government to listen to the fans who are speaking up and to take decisive action. The increase in reports underscores the need for a unified approach to combat discrimination in football and ensure a safe and inclusive environment for all participants.

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