Figures collected by anti-racism body, Kick It Out, show that incidents of racism and homophobia are up 38% in comparison to this time last season in English football.
Racism and homophobia were number one and two on the list of complaints, followed by biphobia, transphobia and anti-Semitism. Since the start of this season, 111 incidents have been reported across all four leagues in England.
In the Premier League the total was 64, with 47 occurring in the Championship, League One and League Two. In 2016/17 those numbers were 40 and 29.The methods of reporting abuse were the Kick It Out App (28%), the official website (25%), social media (25%), Email (18%), media (2%) and telephone (2%).
Kick It Out stated that there are more ways to report discrimination at football matches, thus giving supports increased options to report abuse, but the organisation’s chairman warned these latest figures “should act as a wake-up call to everyone in the sport”.
Lord Ouseley added, “Ultimately, tackling discrimination must be a collective effort. The leaders across all sections of society and football, as well as the broader public and football supporters themselves, need to take action, report discrimination and help us eradicate hatred.
“The spike in these mid-season reporting statistics comes against the backdrop of rising hatred in our society, there is no place for complacency when it comes to challenging prejudice.
“In recent years, the football authorities have improved procedures it has in place to identify and challenge discrimination in the game and we are pleased that more people are aware of the reporting avenues available to them – but we must continue to ensure reporting processes deliver outcomes for perpetrators, as well as victims of hatred in football.”
If you suffer or witness anybody receiving any forms of discrimination, at a football match, you can report it here.