Full Breakdown
Record Rise in Discrimination Reports Across English Football
7/29/2026, 7:49:38 AM
Core Event
Kick It Out recorded a 25 % increase in reported incidents during the 2025-26 season. Incidents topped 1,000 for the first time, reaching 1,255, with 1,744 individual reports logged. Professional-level reports rose 41 % to 636, grassroots reports 41 % to 458, and online reports 5 % to 650.
Background & Context
Five years ago the charity expanded its reporting categories, allowing it to track a broader range of abuse. The charity says the surge follows a period of heightened hate crime and polarising political rhetoric in Britain.
Data & Statistics
- Total incidents: 1,255 (first time above 1,000)
- Total reports: 1,744 (25 % rise)
- Racism: 792 reports – up 19 %
- Sexism: 216 reports – up 12 %
- Homophobia: 203 reports – up 46 %
- Antisemitism: 93 reports – up 43 %
- Ableism: 89 reports – up 20 %
- Islamophobia: 60 reports – up 88 %
- Anti-immigrant chanting: 39 reports – more than the combined total of the two prior seasons
- Discriminatory mass chanting: 142 reports – up 41 %
- Abuse of match officials: 98 reports – equal to the total from the previous three seasons, with over one-third targeting female officials
- Grassroots youth football: 248 reports involving under-18 players – a 33 % increase
Official Statements & Responses
Kick It Out chief executive Samuel Okafor said the data show discrimination is “deeply embedded” in the sport and highlighted the parallel rise in broader societal hate crime. He pledged continued collaboration with football authorities, clubs, leagues, regulators and government to translate reporting courage into concrete action.
The Premier League condemned all forms of discrimination and urged fans and players to report abuse, noting programmes such as the Matchday Observer Programme and the No Room For Racism campaign.
Criticism & Opposition
Mohammed Patel, manager of semi-professional side Route One Rovers, criticised the disciplinary response to a racist and Islamophobic incident involving his player Umar Ali. Patel argued that the £300 fine and nine disciplinary points imposed on the opposing club were insufficient and called for “harsher sanctions” and clearer mandates from the Football Association.
On-the-Ground Reports
Umar Ali recounted being subjected to racist and Islamophobic slurs during a Ramadan match, including personal insults about his beard and age. He said the assistant referee reported the abuse but the referee took no action, prompting police involvement and identification of the spectators.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Two sources provide different totals for the season’s reports: one cites 1,255 reports while another records 1,744 reports. Both agree on the 1,255 incident count, but the discrepancy highlights a gap in publicly reconciled data.
Verbatim Quotes
- “These figures show that discrimination remains deeply embedded across the game at a time when we're also seeing rises in hate crime and divisive political rhetoric in Britain.” — Samuel Okafor, Kick It Out chief
- “The Premier League and our clubs condemn all forms of discrimination, and we encourage fans and players to challenge and report abuse wherever they see it.” — Premier League spokesperson
- “It was a really emotional day for us, because the question we asked ourselves after that game is 'Why is it still happening?' Some of the things that were said were absolutely horrific.” — Mohammed Patel, manager
- “We will continue to work with football authorities, clubs, leagues, regulators and government to ensure we match the courage shown to report abuse with clear and consistent action so that football is welcoming to everyone.” — Samuel Okafor, Kick It Out chief
