Football's leading equality charity has issued a stark warning after recording a dramatic surge in reports of sexist abuse and discrimination within the sport. Kick It Out revealed that reports of sexism increased by a staggering 42% in the 2024/25 season compared to the previous year.
A Disturbing Upward Trend
The organisation's latest figures show that sexism now represents the second most common type of discrimination reported to them, accounting for 22% of all incidents. This significant rise follows a previous 40% increase documented in the 2023/24 season, indicating a persistent and worsening problem. The total number of reports across all forms of discrimination reached 1,832 for the season, marking the highest level recorded by the charity in over a decade.
Kick It Out's chief executive, Tony Burnett, expressed deep concern over the findings. He stated that the data reflects a "growing crisis" of sexism that is being normalised within football culture, both online and in stadiums. The charity's report highlights that women involved in the game at all levels—from players and coaches to journalists and fans—are bearing the brunt of this abuse.
Online Abuse and In-Stadium Incidents
The report breaks down the troubling sources of these reports. A substantial portion of the sexism complaints originated from social media platforms, where targeted abuse against high-profile women in football has become commonplace. However, the problem is not confined to the digital world. Reports of sexist chanting, offensive remarks, and other discriminatory behaviour within stadiums also saw a notable rise.
This trend coincides with the continued growth and professionalisation of the women's game, suggesting that increased visibility has, paradoxically, been met with a backlash of abuse. The charity emphasises that the issue is not limited to the elite level but is also prevalent in grassroots football, creating a hostile environment for participants and volunteers.
Calls for Action and Accountability
In response to the alarming statistics, Kick It Out is urging football's governing bodies, clubs, and social media companies to take decisive and coordinated action. The charity has called for stronger enforcement of existing rules, more effective reporting mechanisms for victims, and comprehensive education programmes to challenge deep-seated attitudes.
"Clubs and authorities must be held accountable for the safety and respect of everyone in football," a spokesperson for the charity insisted. They argue that without a zero-tolerance approach and meaningful sanctions for perpetrators, the toxic culture will continue to deter women and girls from engaging with the sport. The report serves as a critical benchmark, pushing the issue of sexist discrimination to the forefront of football's equality agenda and demanding an immediate response from those in power.
