Reports of discrimination in English football surged by 25% last season, with anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out recording 1,744 incidents in the 2025-26 campaign. This marks a significant rise from 1,398 reports in the previous year, and for the first time, the number of distinct incidents exceeded 1,000, reaching 1,255.
Samuel Okafor, Kick It Out’s chief executive, stated that these figures indicate discrimination remains "deeply embedded" across the game. The increase was observed across various platforms and levels of football, with online discrimination reports rising by five per cent to 650. Incidents in both the professional and grassroots game saw a 41% increase, reaching 636 and 458 reports respectively.
The charity's data highlighted alarming increases across all types of abuse. Islamophobia reports soared by 88%, homophobia by 46%, and anti-Semitism by 43%. Racism reports were up 19%, sexism by 12%, and ableism by 20%. The season also saw a 41% increase in reports of discriminatory mass chanting, reaching a record 142 instances.
Mr Okafor acknowledged ongoing good work in football to tackle discrimination and affirmed the charity's commitment to working with authorities, clubs, leagues, regulators, and the Government. This collaboration aims to ensure that the courage shown in reporting abuse is matched with clear and consistent action, making football welcoming for everyone.