Kick It Out received a record 1,744 reports of discrimination during the 2025/26 season, the anti-discrimination charity has revealed.
The figure represents a 25-per-cent increase on the previous campaign, while the number of recorded incidents also passed 1,000 for the first time, reaching 1,255.
Reports increased across every area of the game, with complaints from professional football and grassroots both rising by 41 per cent to 636 and 458 respectively. Online reports also increased by five per cent to 650.
Racism remained the most reported form of discrimination, accounting for 792 reports – 45 per cent of the total – while reports of sexism, homophobia, antisemitism, ableism and Islamophobia all reached record highs since Kick It Out expanded its reporting data five years ago.
Kick It Out also recorded a 41-per-cent rise in reports of discriminatory mass chanting, while reports involving anti-immigrant language doubled compared to the previous two seasons combined. Discriminatory abuse towards match officials also increased significantly, with 97 reports matching the total from the previous three seasons combined. More than a third involved sexist abuse aimed at female officials.
Grassroots youth football recorded its fifth consecutive annual rise, with reports involving under-18s increasing by a third to a record 248.
Kick It Out chief executive Samuel Okafor said: “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.
“But they also show that people are more willing to stand up to abuse when they see it, and it’s encouraging to see professional players set that example last season.
“While we recognise that there is a lot of good work ongoing in football to tackle discrimination, 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.”
A Premier League spokesperson said: “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.
“Tackling discriminatory abuse is a priority for the Premier League, and we have a range of important initiatives in place, including our Matchday Observer Programme, our No Room For Racism campaign and dedicated resources to track and tackle online abuse.
“One incident of discriminatory abuse is one too many, which is why we work closely with our clubs, expert partners and the relevant authorities to ensure cases are dealt with as swiftly and severely as possible. This can include stadium bans and legal prosecution.
“Around 15 million people attend Premier League matches every season, with more women and people from ethnically diverse backgrounds joining every year. We are proud to work with expert organisations, including Kick It Out, to help create a welcoming and supportive environment for everyone.”
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