46% rise in reports of homophobia to Kick It Out – an FvH response

The Football v Homophobia campaign notes the 25% rise in reports of discrimination received by Kick It Out last season.

Within the 2025/26 data, there are 203 reports of homophobia in football – an increase of 46% on the previous campaign. The number of reports of homophobic and transphobic mass chanting matches the total from the previous four seasons combined.

Reports of referee abuse are also up, while in youth football, Kick It Out received 90% more reports of homophobia compared to 2024/25.

FvH exists to challenge anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination across the game. Through our reporting relationship with Kick It Out, we strongly advocate for anyone in football who experiences or witnesses discriminatory language or behaviour to report this with confidence.

The new figures follow on from recently released Home Office data that also shows a rise in the number of matches with reported hate crime incidents, including for homophobia, and a surge of nearly 73% in online hate crime and abuse incidents linked to football.

The FA’s most recent Grassroots Discipline Review also showed an increase in allegations related to sexual orientation. There are still more proven disciplinary charges for homophobia at this level of football than for any other type of discrimination.

However, research shows that abuse of this type is widely under-reported. In its Review, the FA concedes there is a “reporting gap” for serious cases. U.K. law has recently changed to class anti-LGBTQ+ hate crime as an aggravated offence. We hope this development helps to give participants, fans and others involved in the game greater confidence to report.

We echo Kick It Out’s concern that divisive political rhetoric in Britain is fuelling discrimination. To combat this, we call on senior leaders in football and all those with influence to take more meaningful steps in support of education, awareness and allyship.

LGBTQ+ people feel safer to be themselves when they see action being taken that is inclusive and welcoming, particularly from those they look up to in the sport they love.

With more than 1,000 discrimination incidents recorded by Kick It Out last season, football cannot and must not be complacent.