Reports of discrimination in English football increased sharply during the 2025-26 season, with anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out recording its highest number of reported incidents to date.
The organisation received 1,744 reports during the campaign, up from 1,398 the previous season. For the first time, the number of distinct incidents exceeded 1,000, reaching 1,255. Kick It Out explained that a single incident can generate multiple reports, with the reports-per-incident ratio standing at 1.39 for the season.
Kick It Out reports show discrimination increases
The increase in reports was recorded across multiple areas of the game. Online discrimination reports rose by five percent to 650, while reports from the professional game and grassroots football each increased by 41 percent, reaching 636 and 458, respectively.
According to the charity's figures, every major category of discriminatory abuse saw an increase. Reports of Islamophobia climbed by 88 per cent, homophobia rose by 46 per cent, anti-Semitism increased by 43 per cent, racism was up by 19 per cent, sexism rose by 12 per cent, and ableism increased by 20 per cent.
The latest statistics underline the broad rise in reported discrimination across English football during the 2025-26 campaign.
Samuel Okafor calls for action against football discrimination
Kick It Out chief executive Samuel Okafor said the figures show that discrimination remains deeply embedded across English football at a time when hate crime and divisive political rhetoric are also increasing in Britain.
He added that the data also indicates more people are willing to report abuse when they witness it, describing it as encouraging that professional players set an example by speaking out during the season.
Okafor said Kick It Out will continue working with football authorities, clubs, leagues, regulators, and the government to ensure that reports of discrimination are matched by clear and consistent action aimed at making football welcoming for everyone.
Discriminatory chanting reaches record levels
Kick It Out also recorded a 41 per cent increase in reports of discriminatory mass chanting, with a record 142 incidents during the season.
The reported chants included racist, sexist, homophobic, transphobic, and ableist abuse. The charity also highlighted an increase in anti-immigrant language, with phrases such as "stop the boats" and "send them back" reported across all levels of the game.
There were 39 reports involving this type of language during the 2025-26 season, exceeding the combined total of 37 recorded over the previous two campaigns.
Fan education programme marks major milestone
Despite the rise in reported discrimination, Kick It Out reached an important milestone during the season by delivering its 500th fan education session.
The programme is aimed at individuals found to have discriminated in football, and the charity reported a reoffending rate of just 1.25 percent among those who completed the sessions.
Kick It Out continues to combine education with reporting and cooperation across the game as part of its efforts to tackle discrimination in English football.