"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."
Kick It Out has formed a reporting partnership with Football v Homophobia so Kick It Out's dedicated reporting team will handle reports from both organisations while Football v Homophobia will source support for victims. The relationship launched during Football v Homophobia's Month of Action after a record number of anti-LGBTQ+ abuse reports to Kick It Out. With more than five months remaining there have already been 139 reported incidents across professional, grassroots and online football, matching last year's figures. Kick It Out recorded 1,398 incidents in 2024/25 with sharp rises in sexism, transphobia and faith-based abuse. Home Office data showed an increase in Premier League and EFL matches reporting anti-LGBTQ incidents, with 49 of 380 Premier League matches affected. Brighton and Chelsea recorded 17 and 16 incidents respectively. The 'Chelsea rent boy' chant is a demeaning phrase with homophobic connotations linked to the area's queer history; a 'rent boy' describes a young male prostitute who sells sex to other men.
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