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Report hate and protect our game




ENOUGH IS ENOUGH

Together we can end hate in football

In grassroots football, hate has many faces

Hate reveals itself in players, in coaches, in spectators. It ruins the experience for everyone who’s there just to enjoy the game.

Report hate and protect our game

Too often, people who don’t want to make a scene feel they have no option but to stand by and let it happen. Until now. 

We’ll take action when you tell us

As our eyes and ears on the ground, we’re asking you tell us every time you see hate happening. You can report it anonymously if you wish, your report will always be confidential. When we know about it, we can take the tough action needed to remove the haters, with tougher sanctions than ever before.

Only when you do your part can we do ours 

Together, we can protect our game. It means not standing by or relying on others. It means stepping up by reporting abusive behaviour every time it happens, whenever and wherever you experience it.

When you report hate, we can take the steps needed to remove it, and together can protect the game we love.



What counts as hate?

In grassroots football, hate is verbal abuse, insulting gestures or prejudicial behaviour. Racism, sexism and homophobia are the most common hate incidents we hear about, but we want to hear about any form of discriminatory behaviour any time it happens. If it feels wrong to you, it will to others too.

What are the punishments?

Let us be clear, we will take the strongest action against those who ruin the game for others. Tough punishments for players, coaches and spectators – and anyone else – who behave in discriminatory ways include:

• Players will be removed from play • Players will be suspended for games • Clubs can have points deducted • Clubs can have their ground closed • Spectators will be asked to leave

Remember, reporting hate is the first step to removing it and protecting the game we love.

How do I report hate?

We need you to report abusive behaviour every time you experience it. Only then will we know it’s happened. Only then can we act to remove it.


You can report hate anonymously if you wish, or you can give us your name along with your evidence. This gives us a better chance of successfully punishing offenders. When you do your part, you can rely on us to do ours.


You can report anything you don’t like at any time, even after the match has finished. To make this easy, here are four ways of telling us:


• To report it to The FA click here • To report it to Kick It Out click here • Report it to your County FA • Report it to a Match Official




What support is available?

If you are a victim of hate or discriminatory abuse, we make specialist support available to you. Funded by The FA, this a range of mental health and emotional well-being services delivered by the charity Sporting Chance.

You will have access to between one and six counselling sessions, with extra sessions considered on an exceptional basis. These are face-to-face within 45 minutes of where you live, or by online platforms. The sessions:

• start with an assessment of how the incident has affected you, followed by a confidential and safe talking space with a skilled therapist

• then focus on assisting you in contextualising the incident in the context of your broader life

• will be followed by teaching on self-care


Together we can stop HATE!



Lord Herman Ouseley (1944–2024)



Lord Herman Ouseley, a pioneering force in the fight for equality and anti-racism, has passed away at the age of 79. Throughout his remarkable life, Lord Ouseley dedicated himself to challenging racial discrimination and fostering inclusion, leaving an extraordinary legacy that shaped both football and broader British society.


Born in 1944, Lord Ouseley became a leading voice for racial equality. As the chair of the Commission for Racial Equality from 1993 to 2000, he championed initiatives to combat racial inequality in the UK. However, he is perhaps best known for founding Kick It Out in 1993, an organisation that would revolutionise football by confronting racism head-on. Under his leadership, Kick It Out grew into a powerful force for good, using football as a platform to promote equality and raise awareness of the damaging effects of discrimination.


Lord Ouseley's passion for social justice was not limited to football. Throughout his career, he advocated for marginalised communities and worked tirelessly to challenge prejudice in all its forms. He believed in the power of sport to foster unity and saw football as a vital space for promoting fairness, respect, and diversity. His vision helped transform the sport, creating a more inclusive environment for players and fans alike.


In recognition of his contributions, Lord Ouseley received numerous honours, including a peerage in 2001. However, it was his tireless work and quiet humility that endeared him to so many. He approached every challenge with grace and determination, inspiring others to join him in the ongoing fight for equality.


Though he is no longer with us, Lord Ouseley's influence will continue to resonate. His work with Kick It Out and his broader efforts to challenge racism and promote equality leave a lasting impact. His legacy will live on in the continued efforts of those inspired by his example.


Lord Herman Ouseley will be remembered as a champion of equality, a tireless advocate for justice, and a beloved figure in the worlds of sport and social reform. His life’s work will continue to guide and inspire those who share his vision of a better, more inclusive world. May he rest in peace.

 
 
 

Arsene Wenger's Push for Offside Rule Overhaul: What's at Stake?




Arsene Wenger, FIFA's chief of global football development, is pushing for a radical change to the offside rule, which could potentially give attackers a significant advantage on the field.


According to The Times, Wenger is "convinced" that his proposal works, following successful trials in Italy, Sweden, and the Netherlands.


His proposal suggests that there must be "daylight" between the attacker and defender for an offside offence to occur. If any part of the attacker's body, from which they can score, is in line with the last defender, then this is considered onside. Wenger intends to present his proposal to the International FA Board (IFAB) and is hopeful for swift adoption.





However, despite the potential benefits, there are concerns that Wenger's proposal may give too much advantage to attackers, according to the report. Luis Figo, head of UEFA's Football Board, is reportedly against the proposal, suggesting that further trials may be necessary in competitions using VAR before any changes are made to the law.


David Dein, former Arsenal and FA vice-president, has expressed support for Wenger's idea, describing it as "refreshingly innovative" during a FIFA Congress in Bangkok. Wenger himself has been working on this proposal for four years, emphasising the need for a change in the offside rule to eliminate contentious decisions based on millimetres.


Steve Halls, founder of NexxtGen Football, shares his perspective on Wenger's proposal, stating, "Wenger's proposal represents a significant shift in how we perceive offside offences. By focusing on 'daylight' between attackers and defenders, it could simplify the decision-making process for referees and reduce the controversy surrounding offside calls. However, we must also consider the potential impact on the game's dynamics and fairness. Any changes should undergo thorough testing and evaluation before implementation."


While Premier League clubs are set to see changes to offside decisions next season with the introduction of semi-automated technology, any further alterations to the offside rule will require IFAB approval. Wenger's proposal marks a potential turning point in football's rulebook, but its adoption hinges on careful consideration and consensus among football's governing bodies.





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