Number of reports on discrimination in UK football ‘significantly’ increased

Football authorities must increase anti-discriminatory efforts in the sport. This is the message from the UK based organisation Kick It Out who has been collecting reports on discriminatory incidents across UK football.

According to the latest statistics, the first half of the 2017/2018 season has seen an increase in the number of reported incidents of 59% compared to the same period last year.

Racist behavior accounts for 54% of the reports and is followed by discriminatory actions related to homophobia, biphobia and transphobia (22%), and anti-Semitism (9%).

Almost half of the incidents (46%) are reported to have occurred in the professional game, 15 % in grass roots football and 39% in social media.

“Our latest statistics reveal a significant increase in incidents of discrimination in football, which should act as a wake-up call to everyone in the sport,” says the Kick It Out chair, Lord Ousely, according to a press release on the latest statistics.

Although the past years have seen a growing attention to discrimination in the sport, which has “improved procedures it (the sport, ed.) has in place to identify and challenge discrimination”, it is important to continue these efforts to ensure effect, said Lord Ousely in the press release.

“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 eradicate hatred,” he says.