Football v Homophobia Month of Action highlights rising anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination across the game
Football authorities are facing renewed pressure to act after new data indicated a rise in homophobic incidents across both the professional and grassroots game.
Home Office figures for recent months show an increase in Premier League and EFL matches where homophobic abuse was reported, while the Football Association has recorded a growing number of similar offences at community level. LGBTQ+ supporter groups from Chelsea and Leeds United have since come forward to condemn what they describe as “disgusting” and threatening behaviour, urging leagues, clubs and social media platforms to respond robustly.
Lou Englefield, campaign director for Football v Homophobia (FvH), said the trend reflected wider societal shifts. “We’re seeing evidence that homophobia and transphobia are on the rise in wider society, enabled by influential figures and anti-rights movements,” she said. “Everyone involved in football must be on guard and recognise how this is impacting the game, while those in positions of responsibility should step up and take a visible and practical stand against it.”
February marks the annual FvH Month of Action, which provides a global platform for clubs, teams, leagues and fan groups to demonstrate their commitment to tackling anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination. More than 150 organisations have already registered as #FvH2026 Champions, including at least 30 Premier League and EFL clubs and community trusts. Both professional leagues will mark LGBT+ History Month with a series of matchday activations over the coming weeks.
The seventh FvH Awards are set to take place in central London on Friday, 6 February, celebrating achievements in LGBTQ+ inclusion across 11 categories. The event is sponsored by the Premier League, the EFL, Sky Sports, Fare and Professional Game Match Officials (PGMO), with further backing from Kick It Out and the Football Supporters’ Association’s Fans for Diversity initiative.
A new episode of the FvH Podcast features the chairs of Chelsea Pride and Marching Out Together, two of the UK’s largest LGBTQ+ supporter groups, discussing the impact of recent incidents. Tracy Brown of Chelsea Pride, who has been recognised by the Crown Prosecution Service for her work tackling hate crime in football, warned: “We have a big problem, and that needs further work and further investigation.”
The episode also includes a troubling account from Marching Out Together member Andrew Tilly, who describes the homophobic abuse directed at him and co-founder Drew Harrison by a fellow Leeds United supporter in the away end at a Premier League fixture this season. Group chair Steve Wignall labelled the behaviour “disgusting”, adding: “To put two fans in that situation, where they have to leave a game because they feel threatened, is totally unacceptable.”
FvH is urging leagues, clubs and governing bodies to publish the data they collect on discriminatory incidents, arguing that the lack of transparency undermines confidence in reporting systems. Few organisations currently release annual figures, contributing to what the charity calls a “fractured” picture of the problem.
We have a big problem, and that needs further work and further investigation.
A survey published last year, Out and Out Football, found that 74% of nearly 200 LGBTQ+ fans had experienced or heard anti-LGBTQ+ abuse at men’s matches. Yet only 23% reported the incidents, with nine in ten of those who did opting to contact the relevant club rather than a governing body.
The FA’s latest Grassroots Discipline Review, released in December 2025, again showed that homophobia accounted for more proven discrimination charges at Step 5 and below than any other category. However, there is still no equivalent review for Steps 1 to 4 of the non-league system.
“Greater transparency on data is a meaningful action in the fight against LGBTQ+-phobia in the game and will help to make football a better place,” Englefield added.
FvH will also renew its call for players, coaches and supporters to 'Wear It Black and Pink’ on Thursday 19 February, marking the International Day Against LGBTQ+-phobia in Sport and the birthday of Justin Fashanu. The charity is encouraging fans to share images on social media to help raise awareness.
Comments ()