Anti-discrimination group Kick It Out received more reports of racism, sexism and other forms of abuse in '16-17 "than any previous season in which numbers have been collected," according to David Conn of the London GUARDIAN. Issuing the details for incidents reported at all levels of the game last season, Kick It Out said that it received 469 reports, an increase of 16.7% on the 402 reported in '15-16. Complaints of discriminatory behavior were made by people attending Premier League, English Football League and Women's Super League matches, as well as reported incidents at non-league and grassroots football, although the campaign believes "most grassroots abuse goes unreported." The total, a record since the organization began to act as a reporting vehicle in '12-13, also included "some complaints about discriminatory posts on social media." Nearly half of the incidents reported last season -- 48% -- related to race, 21% were HBT (homophobic, biphobic or transphobic) and 17% were faith-related, Kick It Out said. The organization has an app which allows "instant reporting of abuse, communicated at professional clubs' stadiums directly to a club official who is expected to initiate immediate action." Other incidents are referred to the FA or relevant league to "deal with." Kick It Out CEO Roisin Wood said, "As we head towards the 25th anniversary of the organization in August 2018, it is a timely reminder that there is still significant work to be done" (GUARDIAN, 10/9). The BBC's Dan Roan wrote reported incidents of discrimination at English professional football matches have "risen by 53% in a year." There were 197 instances on social media, 194 in the professional game and 78 at grassroots level. More than half of those in professional football were in the Premier League and a third in the EFL. A spokesman from the Premier League said, "Premier League clubs work hard to make stadiums safe and welcoming environments and have supported the development of Kick It Out's discreet reporting App that encourages fans to report any unacceptable behaviour that occurs on a match day" (BBC, 10/10).
