Kick It Out has disclosed that it received an unprecedented 1,744 discrimination reports during the 2025/26 football season, marking the highest tally ever recorded by the anti‑discrimination charity. This figure reflects a 25 percent jump compared with the previous campaign period and also pushes the count of documented incidents past the 1,000‑mark for the first time, reaching 1,255 separate cases.
The rise was evident across every segment of the sport. Complaints from the professional ranks climbed by 41 percent, rising to 636 reports, while grassroots football saw a similar 41 percent surge, with 458 submissions. Online channels were not immune either; digital abuse reports grew by five percent, totalling 650.
Racism continued to dominate the landscape, representing 45 percent of all complaints – 792 reports in total. The most striking growth within this category was racist abuse directed at participants of South Asian heritage, which doubled year on year, showing a 100 percent increase.
Other forms of prejudice also hit new highs. Since Kick It Out broadened its data‑collection framework five years ago, reports of sexism, homophobia, antisemitism, ableism and Islamophobia have all reached record levels. Islamophobic incidents surged the most dramatically, up 88 percent.
Mass chanting that contained discriminatory language rose by 41 percent, while allegations of anti‑immigrant slurs doubled when compared with the combined totals of the two preceding seasons. Abuse aimed at match officials also climbed sharply; 97 reports were logged, matching the total from the previous three seasons combined, and more than a third of those involved sexist attacks on female referees and assistants. Youth football at the grassroots level recorded its fifth straight year of growth, with complaints involving under‑18 players jumping by a third to a record 248. Samuel Okafor, chief executive of Kick It Out, commented: "These numbers demonstrate that discrimination remains deeply entrenched 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 also show that more people are willing to speak out when they witness abuse, 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 keep partnering with governing bodies, clubs, leagues, regulators and government to ensure that the bravery shown in reporting abuse is matched by decisive, 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 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.
Approximately 15 million spectators attend Premier League matches each season, and we are seeing more women and people from ethnically diverse backgrounds joining the sport every year. We are proud to collaborate with expert organisations such as Kick It Out to help create a welcoming and supportive environment for everyone." An analysis by Sky Sports News' Dev Trehan highlighted the broader societal context: discrimination remains a pressing issue within English football and mirrors wider social tensions. While reports of sexism (216) and homophobia (203) are notable – with homophobic incidents up 46 percent from the previous year – they together account for less than half the total number of racism reports (792).
The statistics are particularly stark for individuals of South Asian heritage, who love the game but often face heightened hostility. The biggest increase in racist reports targeted South Asian people, rising by 16 percent and effectively doubling last year's figure. Moreover, Islamophobic complaints surged by 88 percent.
Although not all South Asians are Muslim and not all Muslims are South Asian, the data suggest that brown players are frequently stereotyped as Muslim and become prime targets for abuse. Dev’s column, "Dev's Digest," aims to reshape the narrative and set the record straight on the experiences of British South Asians in football.
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 current figures help explain why that anomaly persists.
The overall picture points to an English football environment that remains inhospitable for people from South Asian backgrounds. Stakeholders are being called upon to treat this as an urgent "English football emergency" that requires decisive, coordinated action. Sky Sports reiterated its commitment to maintaining its digital platforms as spaces for constructive discussion free from abuse, hate, and profanity. The broadcaster urged anyone who encounters hateful comments based on race, sex, colour, gender, nationality, ethnicity, disability, religion, sexuality, age or class on its sites or social channels to capture the URL, screenshot the offending content and forward it to the provided email address for review.
In summary, the record‑breaking 1,744 reports underscore both the persistence of discriminatory behaviour in football and a growing willingness among fans, players and officials to report such incidents. The data call for continued vigilance, stronger enforcement mechanisms, and a cultural shift within the sport to ensure that football truly becomes a game for everyone, irrespective of background or identity.