Rise in Football Sexism Reports and Kick It Out's Campaign for Accountability
Sexism in football is reported to be rising rapidly, with a significant increase in incidents targeting women involved as fans, referees, officials, physios, and staff. This season, Kick It Out has received 86 reports of sexism, nearly four times the level recorded at this point last year. Nineteen of these reports involve mass chanting, and a new reporting link has been established with the organization Her Game Too.
Notable cases include Barnet manager Dean Brennan, who is the first EFL manager to be charged by the FA with sexist abuse towards a female referee; he denies the charge. In non-league football, incidents have included Hemel Hempstead Town being fined and a match involving Coventry Sphinx being abandoned due to abuse directed at female officials. Additionally, Joey Barton was criminally sentenced for harmful social media posts targeting Lucy Ward and Eni Aluko.
Kick It Out launched the Kick Sexism Out campaign at the start of the last season to address the issue and promote accountability within football. Research highlights that 85% of female fans who experienced sexism did not report it, largely because they believed nothing would be done in response. Despite such challenges, the campaign continues to strive for change and to combat gender-based degradation reflected in chants and comments within football environments.
