Discrimination in football: ‘shocking’ rise in race hate and homophobic abuse

Latest Kick It Out data reveals a 42% increase in total reports

Kick It Out was founded in 1993 to tackle racism in football but now covers all equality and exclusion issues
Latest Kick It Out data reveals a 42% increase in total reports 
(Image credit: Pete Norton/Getty Images)

Kick It Out’s annual report for the 2019-20 football season has revealed a “shocking” increase in the levels of race hate and homophobic abuse.

Data released by the anti-discrimination charity shows that in spite of the season being put on hold due to the coronavirus, abuse around football matches and social media has risen at both professional and grassroots levels.

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Mike Starling is the digital features editor at The Week, where he writes content and edits the Arts & Life and Sport website sections and the Food & Drink and Travel newsletters. He started his career in 2001 in Gloucestershire as a sports reporter and sub-editor and has held various roles as a writer and editor at news, travel and B2B publications. He has spoken at a number of sports business conferences and also worked as a consultant creating sports travel content for tourism boards. International experience includes spells living and working in Dubai, UAE; Brisbane, Australia; and Beirut, Lebanon.