Abusive chanting targeting immigrants has become a notable feature at English football matches, according to new data released by the anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out. Last season saw 39 reports of anti-immigrant chanting, a figure higher than the combined total of the two preceding seasons.
Phrases such as “stop the boats” and “send them back” were reportedly heard “at all levels of the game,” contributing to a growing trend of discriminatory “mass chanting” during matches, Kick It Out stated. This rise in anti-immigrant rhetoric aligns with a broader increase in reported discrimination both at matches and online.
Kick It Out recorded a total of 1,744 reports of discriminatory behaviour during the 2025-26 season, marking a record high and a 25% increase compared to the previous campaign. Reports of racism remained the most frequent, rising by 19% year-on-year to 792 reports, making up 45% of the total. Other forms of discrimination also saw increases, with homophobia up 46% to 203 reports and Islamophobia rising 88% to 60 reports.
Abuse in grassroots football also climbed for the fifth consecutive year, increasing by 33% in 2025-26 to a record 248 reports. Samuel Okafor, chief executive at Kick It Out, noted that this behaviour mirrors a rise in hateful rhetoric across British society, while also commending the willingness of supporters and players to speak out against abuse.