Kick It Out, the charity dedicated to eradicating discrimination from football, has disclosed that it received a historic total of 1,744 reports of abusive behaviour during the 2025/26 season. This figure marks a 25 per cent rise compared with the previous campaign period and pushes the tally of recorded incidents past the 1,000‑mark for the first time, reaching 1,255 separate cases. The growth was evident across every segment of the sport. In the professional ranks, the number of complaints jumped by 41 per cent, climbing to 636 reports, while the grassroots game saw a similar 41 per cent increase, with 458 submissions.
Online channels were not immune either; digital reports rose by five per cent to a total of 650. Racism continued to dominate the landscape of abuse, accounting for 792 of the submissions – roughly 45 per cent of the overall count. The most striking escalation within this category was directed at individuals of South Asian heritage, where racist insults doubled year on year, representing a 100 per cent surge. Other forms of prejudice also hit unprecedented levels since Kick It Out broadened its data collection five years ago.
Reports of sexism, homophobia, antisemitism, ableism and Islamophobia all set new records. Islamophobic incidents, in particular, surged by an alarming 88 per cent, making it the fastest‑growing category of abuse. Mass chanting that contained discriminatory language rose by 41 per cent, while remarks targeting immigrants more than doubled when compared with the combined totals of the two preceding seasons.
Abuse aimed at match officials saw a sharp jump as well, with 97 reports – a figure that matches the total recorded over the previous three seasons. Notably, more than a third of these complaints involved sexist slurs directed at female referees and officials. Youth football at the grassroots level recorded its fifth straight year of increase. Complaints involving players under the age of 18 rose by one‑third, reaching a new high of 248 incidents.
Samuel Okafor, chief executive of Kick It Out, commented on the data: "These numbers demonstrate that discrimination remains deeply embedded throughout the game at a moment when hate crime and polarising political rhetoric are also on the rise across Britain. Yet the figures also reveal a growing willingness among fans, players and officials to speak out against abuse. It is encouraging to see professional athletes lead by example and report incidents when they occur. While we recognise the considerable work already underway to combat discrimination in football, we will continue to collaborate with governing bodies, clubs, leagues, regulators and government agencies.
Our aim is to ensure that the bravery shown in reporting abuse is matched by swift, consistent action, making football a welcoming space for everyone." A spokesperson for the Premier League added: "The Premier League and its clubs unequivocally condemn all forms of discrimination. We urge supporters and players alike to challenge and report any abusive conduct they encounter. Tackling discriminatory behaviour is a top priority for the league. We have implemented a suite of initiatives, including the Matchday Observer Programme, the No Room For Racism campaign, and dedicated resources to monitor and address online abuse.
One incident of discrimination is one too many, which is why we work closely with clubs, specialist partners and the relevant authorities to ensure cases are dealt with promptly and severely, including stadium bans and legal prosecution where appropriate. Approximately 15 million spectators attend Premier League matches each season, and we are witnessing a steady increase in women and individuals from ethnically diverse backgrounds among fans and participants.
We are proud to partner with expert organisations such as Kick It Out to foster an inclusive, supportive environment for all." An analysis by Sky Sports News' Dev Trehan underscores the persistence of discrimination within English football and reflects broader societal trends. While reports of sexism (216) and homophobia (203) remain significant – with homophobic incidents up 46 per cent from the previous year – they together constitute just under half of the total racism reports (792). The data paint a particularly grim picture for South Asian participants, who continue to face disproportionate levels of racist abuse. The rise in racist remarks aimed at South Asians reached 16 per cent, effectively doubling the previous year's figure.
Moreover, Islamophobic complaints surged by 88 per cent, highlighting a troubling conflation of ethnicity and religion: many brown players are presumed to be Muslim, making them prime targets for hate. Dev's Digest, a column that seeks to correct misconceptions about British South Asians in football, notes that more than four years ago Kick It Out chair Sanjay Bhandari identified the under‑representation of South Asians in the professional game as the single biggest statistical anomaly in English football. The latest statistics provide a stark explanation for that anomaly, illustrating how pervasive hostility can deter participation and advancement. The broader implication is clear: football in England remains an unwelcoming arena for people of South Asian descent and other minority groups.
Stakeholders must treat this as an emergency that demands immediate, coordinated action. Sky Sports reaffirms its commitment to maintaining its digital platforms as spaces free from hate, abuse, and profanity.
The broadcaster urges viewers who encounter hateful comments on its sites or social media to capture the offending content, copy the URL and forward the screenshot to the designated email address, thereby helping to keep the conversation respectful and inclusive for all.