Kick It Out has disclosed that it received an unprecedented 1,744 discrimination reports during the 2025/26 football season, marking a 25 per cent rise compared with the previous campaign. This surge also pushed the total number of documented incidents over the 1,000‑mark for the first time, reaching 1,255 cases. The increase was observed across every segment of the sport. Complaints from the professional game climbed by 41 per cent, totaling 636 reports, while grassroots football saw a similar 41 per cent jump, with 458 submissions.
Online abuse reports also rose, albeit more modestly, by five per cent to 650. Racism continued to dominate the landscape, accounting for 792 complaints – roughly 45 per cent of all reports.
The most striking growth within this category was racist abuse directed at participants of South Asian heritage, which doubled year on year, representing a 100 per cent increase. Other forms of prejudice also hit new highs.
Since Kick It Out broadened its data collection five years ago, reports of sexism, homophobia, antisemitism, ableism and Islamophobia have all reached record levels. Islamophobic incidents surged the most dramatically, with an 88 per cent rise.
Mass chanting that contained discriminatory language rose by 41 per cent, while allegations involving anti‑immigrant slurs doubled when compared with the combined totals of the two preceding seasons. Abuse aimed at match officials also grew sharply; 97 reports were logged, matching the total recorded over the previous three seasons, and more than a third of those involved sexist attacks on female officials. Youth football at the grassroots level recorded its fifth straight year of increase.
Reports involving players under the age of 18 climbed by a third, reaching a record 248 incidents. Samuel Okafor, chief executive of Kick It Out, commented: "These figures demonstrate that discrimination remains deeply embedded throughout the game, especially at a time when hate crime and polarising political rhetoric are on the rise across Britain. At the same time, they show that more people are willing to speak out against abuse when they witness it, and it is encouraging to see professional players set that example last season.
While we recognise the substantial good work already underway to combat discrimination in football, we will continue to collaborate with football authorities, clubs, leagues, regulators and government to ensure that the courage shown in reporting abuse is matched by clear, consistent action, making football a welcoming space for everyone." A Premier League spokesperson added: "The Premier League and its clubs condemn all forms of discrimination and encourage fans and players to challenge and report abuse wherever they encounter it. Tackling discriminatory behaviour is a top priority for the league, and we have a suite of initiatives in place, including the Matchday Observer Programme, the No Room For Racism campaign, and dedicated resources to monitor and combat online abuse. One incident of discriminatory abuse is one too many, which is why we work closely with clubs, expert partners and the relevant authorities to ensure cases are dealt with swiftly and severely, including stadium bans and legal prosecution.
Around 15 million people attend Premier League matches each season, and we see more women and individuals from ethnically diverse backgrounds joining the sport each year. We are proud to partner with organisations such as Kick It Out to help create a welcoming and supportive environment for everyone." Analysis from Sky Sports News' Dev Trehan highlighted the persistent scale of the problem. While reports of sexism (216) and homophobia (203) are significant – the latter showing a 46 per cent jump from the previous year – they together represent only about half of the total racism reports (792). The data is especially stark for South Asian participants, who experienced a 100 per cent increase in racist abuse, with the proportion of victims from that community doubling compared with the prior year.
Trehan noted that the rise in Islamophobic complaints – up 88 per cent – often intersects with the experience of South Asian players, many of whom are mistakenly presumed to be Muslim, making them prime targets for abuse. He emphasized that these statistics underscore a broader societal issue, reflecting the way hate and prejudice permeate both football and the wider community. Four years ago, Kick It Out chair Sanjay Bhandari told Sky Sports that the under‑representation of South Asians in professional football was the most glaring statistical anomaly in English football.
The latest figures help explain why that anomaly persists: the environment remains hostile for people of South Asian descent, with racism, Islamophobia and other forms of bigotry creating significant barriers to participation and progression. The situation has been described as an "English football emergency," calling for urgent and coordinated action from governing bodies, clubs, fans and policymakers. Sky Sports reiterated its commitment to maintaining a safe space across its digital platforms, urging users to report any hateful content based on race, gender, ethnicity, religion, disability, sexuality, age or class.
They asked that users capture the URL and a screenshot of any abusive post and forward it to the provided email address. Overall, the record number of reports underscores both the ongoing prevalence of discrimination in football and a growing willingness among players, officials and fans to call out abuse. The challenge now lies in converting this heightened awareness into concrete, lasting change that protects all participants and ensures the sport lives up to its promise of inclusivity and respect for every individual.