Kick It Out and Football v Homophobia launch new reporting relationship over anti-LGBTQ+ hate

Kick It Out and Football v Homophobia have announced a new reporting relationship, aimed at tackling the rise of anti-LGBTQ+ abuse in football.

The collaboration between the two organisations will see Kick It Out’s dedicated reporting team handle reports from both organisations whilst Football v Homophobia will source support for victims through its network.

Launched during Football v Homophobia’s Month of Action, the new relationship comes after a record number of reports of anti-LGBTQ+ abuse have been made to Kick It Out. With more than five months of the current season remaining, there have already been 139 reported incidents across professional football, grassroots football and online – already matching last year’s figures.

Previous data collected by Kick It Out, from reports made directly to the organisation, showed during the 2024/25 football season there a total of 1,398 incidents of abuse with a sharp rise in sexism, transphobia and faith-based abuse.

These findings echo those outlined in Home Office data from the same season, which also revealed there was a rise in the number of Premier League and EFL matches where anti-LGBTQ incidents were reported.

Such incidents of homophobic abuse were recorded at 49 out of a total of 380 Premier League matches, according to the government data, representing an increase on the season before.

Matches involving south coast club Brighton and London squad Chelsea were the most likely to be impacted, with 17 and 16 incidents respectively.

Incidents involving Chelsea often relate to the infamous ‘Chelsea rent boy’ chant, a demeaning phrase which has homophobic connotations due to Chelsea’s queer history.

A ‘rent boy’ is phrase used to describe a young male prostitute – specifically, a male prostitute who sells sex to other men.

The term has been directed at Chelsea players and fans rather than other football teams because of the London borough of Chelsea’s past status as an LGBTQ+ hotspot.

Across the board, the Home Office data also showed all 20 Premier League teams had at least one match during the course of the season where a homophobic incident was recorded.

Chris Paouros, Kick It Out vice-chair, said: “The rise in reports of homophobia to us this season shows that despite progress, football must take stronger action so that LGBTQ+ communities feel a real sense of belonging and respect across the game.

“That comes from celebrating the community, increasing education, encouraging reporting and ensuring that greater accountability follows when incidents occur. 

“Even though the homophobic chant related to Chelsea Football Club is now a criminal offence, we still receive reports of it being sung, and this season, homophobic abuse at grassroots level has increased sharply compared to last season.

“We’re pleased to enhance our relationship with Football v Homophobia to back the LGBTQ+ community, and believe this arrangement will help advocate for a game where everyone stands up to discrimination.”

Lou Englefield, of Football v Homophobia, said: “While there has already been a large increase in reports of anti-LGBTQ+ language and behaviour in football to Kick It Out so far this season, it’s important to note that incidents of homophobia and transphobia tend to go unreported, according to UK government research.

“A 2024 survey of fans who watch men’s football and who are LGBTQ+ reflected a desire for homophobia to be tackled more seriously.

“However, less than a quarter of fans who said they had experienced or witnessed this type of discrimination went on to report those incidents.

“Through this new relationship, FvH hopes to build greater confidence in the reporting process for all those who are impacted by LGBTQ+-phobia, not just people who are lesbian, gay, bi and trans.”