Archive · 29 Jul 2026
Anti-immigrant chanting rises in English football matches
In the 2025-26 football season in England, there was a big increase in anti-immigrant chanting and other types of discrimination at matches.
Kick It Out, a charity that fights discrimination, reported 39 cases of anti-immigrant chanting, which is more than the last two seasons combined.
They also saw a rise in reports of racism, sexism, homophobia, antisemitism, ableism, and Islamophobia.
Grassroots football and match officials also faced more abuse.
The charity thinks this is because of a general increase in hate crime and divisive politics in the country.
They are working with football authorities to make the sport more welcoming for everyone.
Anti-immigrant chanting reports reached 39 in the 2025-26 season, more than the previous two seasons combined.
Total discrimination reports surged to 1,744, a 25% increase from the previous year.
Racism remained the most reported issue with 792 cases, accounting for 45% of all reports.
Islamophobia saw the sharpest rise, increasing by 88% to 60 cases.
Grassroots football abuse reports hit a record 248 cases, rising for the fifth consecutive year.
- Who
- Anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out
- What
- Increase in anti-immigrant chanting and discrimination reports in English football matches
- When
- 2025-26 season
- Where
- England
- Why
- Broader climate of hostility in Britain, including increases in hate crime and divisive political discourse
Anti-immigrant sentiment
Anti-discrimination efforts
Increase in anti-immigrant chanting
Anti-immigrant sentiment
Anti-immigrant chanting is on the rise, with 39 reports in the 2025-26 season, more than the combined total from the previous two seasons.
Anti-discrimination efforts
Anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out is working to combat this trend by improving reporting systems and encouraging players to speak out against abuse.
Rise in discrimination reports
Anti-immigrant sentiment
Discrimination reports have surged, with 1,744 reports of discriminatory conduct during the season, a 25% increase from the previous year.
Anti-discrimination efforts
Kick It Out is collaborating with football authorities, clubs, leagues, regulators, and government to ensure clear and consistent action against abuse.
- Reports of anti-immigrant chanting
- 39
- Total discrimination reports
- 1,744
- Racism reports
- 792
- Islamophobia reports
- 60
- Grassroots abuse reports
- 248
- Abuse reports against match officials
- 98