Kick It Out research shows over half of women have experienced sexism at football

09/11/2024 12:33 PM

Kick It Out has launched a new campaign aiming to tackle sexism and misogyny still present in football.

A recent survey completed by the charity revealed 52 per cent of female fans have experienced sexist behaviour or language during a football matchday.

That’s not where the staggering statistics end, either.

85 per cent of 1,502 women and non-binary fans surveyed by Kick It Out also said they had never reported sexist or misogynistic abuse.

This is, according to a large number of them, mostly due to feeling as though their reports would not be taken seriously by authorities or would make any difference.

In addition to this, one in four women said they did not always feel safe at games.

The research found underrepresented groups, including ethnic minorities, LGBTQ and disabled fans, as well as younger supporters, were more likely to feel unsafe on matchdays and experience sexism.

60 per cent of women had also heard sexist behaviour dismissed as banter, while almost half 48 per cent of women had witnessed or experienced sexist language in a football setting.

Hollie Varney, Kick It Out COO, said: “Football needs to step up to ensure sexism is taken seriously and that women feel safe and confident to report discrimination.

“We’ve seen reports of sexism to Kick It Out increase significantly in recent seasons. Reports include women telling us about hearing sexist and lewd chants at matches, having their opinions dismissed or questioned simply because of their gender, and seeing officials and physios targeted with misogynistic abuse.

“As part of this campaign, we want to show male fans how they can challenge sexist behaviour when they see it and ensure women fans know that sexist and misogynistic behaviour is discrimination and can be reported.

“There have been encouraging examples over the past couple of seasons where clubs have taken positive and decisive action to deal with sexist behaviour, such as bans, arrests, and referrals to Kick It Out’s Fan Education team.

“But it’s clear from the research that clubs and governing bodies need to do more to build trust with women supporters.”

Ex-Leicester captain Wes Morgan has also pledged his support to the campaign after being left stunned by just how rife sexist abuse still is in football.

He told talkSPORT: “I was quite shocked and surprised. I knew it probably happened a lot more back in the day, but I wasn’t aware it was still continuing to this day.

“When I saw the data surrounding sexism and misogyny and what female fans experience at games I felt it was time to step up and at least try to help in anyway I can.”

A large number of clubs in England have partnered with Her Game Too, who are working with Kick It Out for the campaign.

HGT is a fan-led movement set up in 2021 to support fans who have been subject to sexist abuse, whether in person at games or online in a football space.

The organisation has partnered with Premier League clubs Brentford, Liverpool and Southampton, and has a reporting system fans can use to get any incidents addressed with the respective clubs.

Last year, HGT partners Gillingham temporarily banned two fans for misogynist chanting – becoming the first English Football League club to do so.

The supporters, who made comments about a female physiotherapist during a fixture against Newport County, had to complete educational training about discrimination provided by HGT through Kick It Out before they could begin attending fixtures again.

Of course, not all women have experienced sexism or misogyny following their respective clubs.

Kick It Out’s research shows four in ten stated that their experience has improved over time, and many found going to football a joyful experience

However, if there were any doubts over whether this is an actual issue in 2024, the campaign’s launch video illustrates just some of what a considerable number of women still experience all too often.