Kick It Out research shows that more than half of women have experienced sexism in football
Kick It Out has launched a new campaign aimed at tackling the sexism and misogyny still present in football.
TO recent survey A study by the charity found that 52 per cent of female fans have experienced sexist behaviour or language during a football match.
The astonishing statistics don't end there.
85 percent of the 1,502 women and non-binary fans surveyed by Kick It Out also said they had never reported sexist or misogynistic abuse.
According to a large number of them, this is mainly because they feel that their reports will not be taken seriously by the authorities or that they will not make any difference.
In addition, one in four women said they did not always feel safe at matches.
The research found that underrepresented groups, including ethnic minorities, LGBTQ and disabled fans, as well as younger supporters, were more likely to feel unsafe on match days and experience sexism.
Sixty per cent of women had also heard sexist behaviour that was dismissed as a joke, while almost half (48 per cent) of women had witnessed or experienced sexist language in a football setting.
Hollie Varney, chief operating officer at Kick It Out, said: “Football must step up its efforts to ensure sexism is taken seriously and that women feel safe and confident to speak out against discrimination.
“We have seen reports of sexism on Kick It Out rise significantly in recent seasons. Reports include women telling us they have heard sexist and lewd chants at matches, their opinions have been dismissed or questioned simply because of their gender and they have seen referees and physiotherapists being subjected to 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 that female fans know that sexist and misogynistic behaviour is discrimination and can be reported.
“There have been encouraging examples over the past two seasons where clubs have taken positive and decisive action to tackle sexist behaviour, such as bans, arrests and referrals to the Kick It Out fan education team.
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“But the research makes it clear that clubs and governing bodies need to do more to build trust among female fans.”
Former Leicester captain Wes Morgan has also pledged his support for the campaign after being left stunned by how widespread sexist abuse still is in football.
He told talkSPORT: “I was very surprised. I knew it probably happened a lot more in the past, but I didn't know it was still happening today.”
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“When I saw the data about 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 any way I could.”
A large number of clubs in England have partnered with His game toowho are working with Kick It Out on the campaign.
HGT is a fan-led movement created in 2021 to support fans who have been victims of 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 this platform to resolve any incidents with the respective clubs.
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Last year, HGT partners Gillingham temporarily banned two fans for misogynistic chanting, becoming the first English Football League club to do so.
The supporters, who made comments about a female physiotherapist during a match against Newport County, had to complete discrimination education training provided by HGT through Kick It Out before they could start attending matches again.
Of course, not all women have experienced sexism or misogyny after their respective clubs.
Kick It Out research shows that four in ten said their experience had improved over time and many found going to the football to be a joyful experience.
However, if there was any doubt as to whether this will be a real problem in 2024, the campaign launch video illustrates just one part of what a considerable number of women still experience all too often.
