Discrimination reports in English football have reached a record high, with anti-racism organisation Kick It Out revealing a staggering 65% increase in cases compared to the previous season.
The charity recorded 1,007 incidents across the professional and grassroots game during the 2023-24 campaign, marking the first time the figure has surpassed 1,000 since records began.
Alarming Rise in Abuse Cases
The data shows a worrying upward trend, with reports increasing across all forms of discrimination:
- Racism remains the most common form of abuse (49% of cases)
- Homophobia reports increased by 27%
- Sexism cases rose by 42%
- Disability-related abuse grew by 35%
Social Media Fuels the Fire
Online abuse accounted for 40% of all reports, highlighting how social media platforms have become hotspots for discriminatory behaviour. Kick It Out's chief executive Tony Burnett described the figures as "deeply concerning" and called for stronger action from tech companies.
Professional Game Under Scrutiny
The Premier League and EFL saw 484 reports, with incidents occurring both on and off the pitch. Burnett emphasised: "These statistics should serve as a wake-up call to everyone in football. We're seeing more people brave enough to come forward, but the underlying problem isn't going away."
Call for Collective Action
Kick It Out has urged football authorities, clubs, players and fans to work together to tackle discrimination. The organisation is pushing for:
- Stronger sanctions for offenders
- Better education programmes
- Improved reporting systems
- More diverse representation in leadership roles
As the new season approaches, all eyes will be on whether football can reverse this disturbing trend.
