Kick It Out, the charity dedicated to eradicating discrimination from football, has disclosed that it received a staggering 1,744 reports of abusive behaviour during the 2025/26 season. This figure represents a 25 percent jump compared with the previous campaign period and marks the first time that the total number of recorded incidents has topped the 1,000‑mark, reaching 1,255 separate cases. The increase was observed across every segment of the sport.
In the professional ranks, complaints rose by 41 percent to 636, while the grassroots sector also saw a 41 percent surge, climbing to 458 reports. Online platforms were not immune either; digital abuse grew by five percent, bringing the total of internet‑based complaints to 650. Racism continued to dominate the landscape of discrimination, accounting for 792 submissions – roughly 45 percent of all reports. The most dramatic spike within this category involved racist slurs directed at participants of South Asian heritage, which doubled year on year.
This 100 percent rise underscores the particular vulnerability of South Asian players, officials and fans within the football community. Other forms of prejudice also hit unprecedented levels.
Since Kick It Out broadened its data‑collection framework five years ago, reports of sexism, homophobia, antisemitism, ableism and Islamophobia have all set new records. Islamophobia, in particular, surged by an 88 percent increase, making it the fastest‑growing category of abuse. Mass chanting that incorporated discriminatory language rose by 41 percent, while incidents involving anti‑immigrant rhetoric doubled when compared with the combined totals of the two preceding seasons.
Abuse aimed at match officials also climbed sharply, with 97 reports – a figure that matches the total recorded over the previous three seasons. Notably, more than one‑third of these complaints involved sexist attacks on female referees and officials. Youth football at the grassroots level recorded its fifth straight year of growth in complaints.
Reports involving players under the age of 18 rose by a third, reaching a new high of 248 incidents. Samuel Okafor, chief executive of Kick It Out, commented on the findings: "These numbers demonstrate that discrimination remains deeply entrenched in the game at a time when hate crime and polarising political rhetoric are on the rise across Britain. At the same time, they also reveal that more people are willing to speak out against abuse when they witness it, and it is encouraging to see professional players leading by example last season.
While we recognise the substantial work already being undertaken to combat discrimination in football, we will continue to collaborate with governing bodies, 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 spokesperson for the Premier League added: "The Premier League and its clubs condemn all forms of discrimination, and we urge fans and players to challenge and report any abuse they encounter. 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 counter 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 swift and severe responses, ranging from stadium bans to legal prosecution. Approximately 15 million people attend Premier League matches each season, and we are seeing 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 an inclusive and supportive environment for all." Sky Sports News analyst Dev Trehan offered his perspective, noting that discrimination remains a pervasive problem both within English football and society at large. While reports of sexism (216) and homophobia (203) are significant – with homophobic abuse up 46 percent from the previous year – they together still account for less than half of the total racist reports (792).
Trehan highlighted the particularly alarming trend for South Asian participants. The data shows that racist abuse targeting people of South Asian descent increased by 16 percent, effectively doubling the previous year's figure. This, combined with an 88 percent rise in Islamophobic incidents, paints a stark picture: brown individuals in football are frequently stereotyped as Muslim and consequently become prime targets for hate.
In his regular column, Dev emphasizes that the under‑representation of South Asians in professional football has long been identified as a major statistical anomaly. The latest statistics from Kick It Out provide concrete evidence of why that disparity persists. The environment remains hostile for those of South Asian background, and the sport must act urgently to address what can only be described as an English football emergency. Sky Sports reiterated its commitment to fostering a safe space on its digital platforms.
The outlet encourages viewers who encounter hateful comments based on race, gender, colour, nationality, ethnicity, disability, religion, sexuality, age or class to capture the offending content, copy the URL and forward it to the provided email address, helping to keep the conversation free from abuse, hate and profanity.