Kick It Out, the anti‑discrimination charity that monitors abuse in football, has disclosed that it received a historic 1,744 reports of discriminatory behaviour during the 2025/26 season. This figure marks a 25 per cent jump from the previous campaign and pushes the total number of recorded incidents over the 1,000‑mark for the first time, climbing to 1,255. The rise was evident across every tier of the sport.
Complaints from the professional game and from grassroots football both surged by 41 per cent, reaching 636 and 458 reports respectively. Online abuse also grew, with a 5 per cent increase that brought the total to 650 digital incidents. Racism continued to dominate the landscape, accounting for 792 submissions – roughly 45 per cent of all cases.
The most striking growth within that category was racist abuse directed at individuals of South Asian heritage, which doubled year‑on‑year. Other forms of prejudice also hit new highs since Kick It Out broadened its data‑collection scope five years ago. Islamophobia saw the steepest climb, with an 88 per cent rise in reports, while sexism, homophobia, antisemitism and ableism all reached record levels.
Mass chanting that incorporated discriminatory language rose by 41 per cent, and remarks with anti‑immigrant overtones doubled compared with the combined totals of the two preceding seasons. Abuse aimed at match officials also spiked dramatically; 97 reports were logged, matching the total recorded across the previous three seasons, and more than a third of those 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 18 jumped by a third, culminating in a new peak of 248 incidents. Samuel Okafor, chief executive of Kick It Out, commented: "These figures demonstrate that discrimination remains deeply embedded throughout football at a time when hate crime and polarising political rhetoric are on the rise across Britain. Yet they also reveal a growing willingness among fans, players and officials to call out abuse when they witness it.
It is encouraging to see professional athletes lead by example and speak out against prejudice. While we acknowledge the considerable work already underway to combat discrimination, we will keep collaborating with football authorities, clubs, leagues, regulators and government bodies. Our aim is to match the bravery of those who report abuse with decisive, consistent action so that the sport becomes a welcoming space for everyone." A spokesperson for the Premier League added: "The Premier League and its clubs unequivocally 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 us.
We have a suite of initiatives, including the Matchday Observer Programme, the No Room For Racism campaign, and dedicated teams that monitor and address online abuse. One incident of discrimination 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 spectators attend Premier League matches each season, and each year we see more women and people from ethnically diverse backgrounds in the stands. We are proud to partner with organisations such as Kick It Out to foster an inclusive, supportive environment for all." Sky Sports News analyst Dev Trehan provided additional context, noting that while reports of sexism (216) and homophobia (203) remain high – with homophobic incidents up 46 per cent from the previous year – they together still represent less than half of the total racism reports (792). He highlighted that the surge in racist abuse targeting South Asian individuals is particularly alarming, with a 100 per cent increase in such cases.
Trehan also pointed out the 88 per cent rise in Islamophobic reports, emphasizing that many brown players are automatically presumed to be Muslim, making them vulnerable to a double burden of prejudice. Trehan’s column, Dev's Digest, aims to reshape the narrative around British South Asians in football and to set the record straight. He recalled that four years ago, Kick It Out chair Sanjay Bhandari told Sky Sports that the under‑representation of South Asians in the professional game was the single biggest statistical anomaly in English football. The latest statistics provide a stark explanation for that anomaly, illustrating how pervasive hostility creates a hostile environment for South Asian participants.
The broader implication is clear: English football faces an urgent crisis of discrimination that mirrors wider societal tensions. Stakeholders across the sport – from governing bodies to clubs, players, and fans – must intensify their efforts to eradicate abuse and foster a culture of respect. The data from Kick It Out serves as both a warning and a call to action, underscoring the need for comprehensive education, stricter enforcement of sanctions, and sustained community engagement. Sky Sports reiterated its commitment to maintaining a safe platform for discussion, stating that its website and social‑media channels will remain free of hate, abuse and profanity.
The network urged viewers who encounter hateful comments based on race, gender, ethnicity, religion, disability, sexuality, age or class to capture the offending URL and screenshot, then forward the evidence to the provided email address for review and action.