Kick It Out, the charity dedicated to eradicating discrimination in football, has disclosed that it received a historic total of 1,744 discrimination reports during the 2025/26 season. This figure marks a 25 per cent rise compared with the previous campaign and pushes the tally of recorded incidents above the 1,000‑mark for the first time, reaching 1,255 separate cases.
The growth was evident across every sector of the sport. Complaints from the professional game climbed by 41 per cent, bringing the total to 636 reports, while grassroots football saw a similar 41 per cent jump, with 458 submissions.
Online abuse also rose, albeit more modestly, increasing five per cent to 650 reports. Racism continued to dominate the landscape, accounting for 792 of the submissions – roughly 45 per cent of the overall total. The most striking surge within this category was racist abuse directed at participants of South Asian heritage, which doubled year on year. This 100 per cent increase highlights a worrying trend for a community already under‑represented in the professional ranks.
Other forms of discrimination also reached new highs since Kick It Out broadened its reporting parameters five years ago. Sexism, homophobia, antisemitism, ableism and Islamophobia all set record numbers, with Islamophobic incidents showing the steepest climb at an 88 per cent increase. Mass chanting that contained discriminatory language rose by 41 per cent, while reports of anti‑immigrant slurs doubled 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 continued its upward trajectory for the fifth year in a row. Reports involving players under the age of 18 jumped by a third, reaching a record 248 incidents.
Samuel Okafor, chief executive of Kick It Out, commented on the findings: "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 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 underway to combat discrimination in football, we will keep collaborating with governing bodies, clubs, leagues, regulators and government to ensure that the bravery 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 encourage 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 address 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 spectators attend Premier League matches each season, and we see more women and people from ethnically diverse backgrounds joining the sport every year.
We are proud to partner with organisations such as Kick It Out to help create an inclusive and supportive environment for all." Analysis by Sky Sports News contributor Dev Trehan underscores the persistent nature of the problem. While sexism (216 reports) and homophobia (203 reports) remain significant, their combined total is less than a third of the racism reports (792).
The data paints a bleak picture for South Asian participants, with racist incidents targeting this group rising by 100 per cent and Islamophobic reports climbing 88 per cent. Although not all South Asians are Muslim and not all Muslims are South Asian, the overlap in perception creates a heightened risk for anyone perceived as "brown" within the sport.
Dev notes that the under‑representation of South Asians in professional football has long been identified as a major statistical anomaly in English football, a point previously raised by Kick It Out chairperson Sanjay Bhandari. The latest statistics provide concrete evidence of why this disparity persists, highlighting an environment that remains hostile for many from South Asian backgrounds. The situation calls for urgent action.
Stakeholders across the football ecosystem must treat the surge in discriminatory reports as an emergency that threatens the integrity and inclusivity of the game. Only through coordinated effort—combining education, stricter enforcement, and robust reporting mechanisms—can the sport hope to reverse these troubling trends.
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