Online advocacy group Kick It Out highlights Big Tech as football discrimination peaks at unprecedented levels
A significant increase in discrimination reports during the 2024-25 football season has prompted a coordinated response from football authorities, Big Tech, the government, and charities.
According to data from Kick It Out, there was a 4.9% year-on-year increase in discrimination reports, with 1,398 reports received across all levels of football, including social media. The online abuse reports increased by 72%, with 621 reports of online abuse in England and Wales alone.
The Football Association (FA) has taken active steps to address this issue. Whenever racist abuse is reported, the FA has collaborated with UK police to identify and hold perpetrators accountable. For instance, during Euro 2025, after England Women’s defender Jess Carter faced racist online abuse, the FA immediately contacted the police and alerted the social media platforms involved. The England team publicly condemned the abuse and demanded accountability for those responsible, also seeking to find alternative ways to combat racism in football.
Big Tech and social media companies are also being urged to take a more proactive role in preventing and addressing online hate speech. While specific names of social media companies are not repeatedly named, they have been informed when incidents arise. Players and football leaders, including England’s Lucy Bronze, have emphasized the need for these companies to take stronger responsibility and implement measures to prevent racist abuse and hold offenders accountable.
The UK government, represented by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, has publicly condemned racist abuse and expressed support for victims like Jess Carter. The government works in partnership with the police and football authorities to address such hate crimes.
Organizations like Kick It Out actively support players affected by abuse and stress the need for social media companies to be part of the solution by taking stronger action against online racism. FIFA has also pledged to support affected players and share data for actions against perpetrators.
Samuel Okafor, CEO of Kick It Out, stated that online platforms are falling short in addressing the high volume of abuse and that those responsible often face no consequences. Okafor also highlighted that fans are not just reporting abuse, they’re demanding action.
The rise in abuse in youth football should be a wake-up call, according to Okafor. Discrimination remains deeply embedded across the game, with the number of racism incidents in the professional game increasing from 223 to 245. Reports of ableist abuse saw a 45% rise, while sexism and misogyny reports rose by 67%.
In response to the renewed calls for action against perpetrators following the online racist and sexist abuse aimed at Lionesses defender Jess Carter, football authorities, tech companies, and government are being urged to act. Football should treat sexist behavior as seriously as any other form of hate, according to Okafor. No one should face hostility simply for taking part in football.
- The rise in abuse in youth football, as stated by Samuel Okafor, indicates a deeply embedded discrimination problem across all levels of the game, with sexism and misogyny reports rising by 67%.
- In response to the online racist and sexist abuse aimed at Lionesses defender Jess Carter, football authorities, tech companies, and the government are being urged to treat sexist behavior as seriously as any other form of hate.
- Okafor emphasizes that fans are not just reporting abuse, they're demanding accountability from both football authorities and tech companies in the policy-and-legislation sphere, particularly regarding online racism.
- In addition to the Football Association's initiatives, FIFA has pledged its support to affected players, vowing to share data for actions against perpetrators and contributing to efforts that aim to combat discrimination in European leagues and the Premier League.
