Reports of discriminatory abuse in football increased 11% last season, a sixth successive annual rise, according to Alistair Magowan of the BBC. Figures from anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out revealed a total of 520 reports, up from 469 in '16-17. Reports of racism make up 53% of the overall total -- up 22% from the previous season -- while reports of homophobia have increased 9%. Kick It Out Education Manager Troy Townsend said, "We are at our most worrying period of time within the game. The risk to the game is that it's taking us back to a time which some people thought never existed. Twenty-five years ago, hatred towards black players was at its highest. But how far have we come?" The figures do not include discrimination reported to club stewards, which Townsend said could mean the picture was "a lot worse" (BBC, 11/28). The London TELEGRAPH reported Kick It Out Chair Herman Ouseley said, "While the increased reports reflect a greater inclination among fans to complain about unacceptable abuse, these trends reflect, in part, what is happening in the rest of society. Hate crime reports have doubled over the last year to more than 94,000. Football cannot be complacent about the risk to the game this represents" (TELEGRAPH, 11/28).
