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Significant Rise in Discrimination Reports in English Football During 2023-24 Season
Kick It Out, the anti-discrimination organization, has reported a record level of discrimination incidents within English football during the 2023-24 season, highlighting a troubling increase in sexism, misogyny, and racism across all tiers of the sport.
In total, there were 1,332 reported incidents throughout the season, marking a 32% rise from the previous year and representing the highest number of incidents ever recorded by the charity. This surge indicates a growing concern regarding the culture surrounding football.
The reports of sexism and misogyny saw a notable 44% increase, escalating from 80 incidents in the 2022-23 season to 115 in the latest figures. Prior to this, the organization had already documented a staggering increase of over 400% in such incidents, pointing to a persistent and systemic issue within the sport.
Further analysis revealed that a significant portion of the language associated with these incidents—64%—called into question women’s roles and contributions in men’s football, illustrating a deep-seated bias that continues to permeate the sport.
Racism, remains the predominant form of discrimination reported, with incidents increasing by 47% last season. The escalation is particularly alarming, as it reflects a broader issue of racial abuse faced by players at all levels. In addition, faith-based abuse rose by 34%, evidencing a growing intolerance in the sport.
A concerning statistic emerges with regards to targeted racial abuse; a striking 55% of incidents directed at specific players were aimed at individuals from an East Asian background, underscoring the varied dimensions of racial discrimination affecting athletes.
In terms of “player-targeted abuse,” the figures rose from 277 incidents in the previous season to 395, signifying a heightened level of personal attacks aimed at players based on their identity.
Sanjay Bhandari, the chairman of Kick It Out, expressed his alarm over the steep increase in reports. However, he also pointed out a potential silver lining in that there appears to be a greater awareness about reporting procedures among the football community. This awareness has contributed to a consistent rise in the number of reports submitted to the charity for the fifth consecutive season.
Bhandari noted, “Encouragingly, we are seeing stronger punishments for racist abuse in recent years, including the toughest sanctions ever imposed on a football fan found guilty of racist abuse at a match earlier this season.” This indicates a shift towards more stringent accountability measures within the sport.
On a somewhat positive note, incidents of homophobic mass chanting have decreased significantly—dropping from 43 in the 2021-22 season to just 17 last season. Additionally, reports of discrimination at the grassroots level have decreased by 24%, and there has also been a 9% decline in reported incidents in professional football.
These statistics reflect both a troubling rise in the frequency of discriminatory incidents in football, alongside nuanced developments in reporting and accountability within the sport. The ongoing challenge remains to foster an inclusive atmosphere, as stakeholders in football continue to grapple with these concerning trends.
Source
www.bbc.com