The Premier League has issued the following statement on behalf of all clubs:
English football stands united in its determination to tackle racism and remove all forms of discrimination from our game. Throughout October and beyond, The FA, Premier League, English Football League and Kick it Out will reinforce the message that hate and discrimination will not be tolerated at any level of football and action will be taken against perpetrators.
Alongside PGMOL, Professional Footballers’ Association, League Managers Association and the Football Supporters’ Association, the football organisations are urging fans and participants to report discrimination wherever they see it or hear it, to help make football a safer place for everyone.
All organisations are actively working with clubs and authorities, and remain committed to collaborating further with each other, to ensure those who are found guilty of racist or discriminatory behaviour face strong consequences for their actions.
Sanctions include stadium bans, legal prosecutions and custodial sentences for those found guilty of discriminatory behaviour in either the stadium or online, with additional potential points deductions for clubs within the grassroots game. Education and restorative justice initiatives will also be implemented where appropriate.
This builds on the ongoing work to address unacceptable, discriminatory and illegal behaviour across the game, under the football-wide Love Football. Protect the Game initiative, which aims to ensure that the actions of the minority do not spoil the game for all.
In recent years, football authorities have worked as a group to combat online abuse, and most recently we have lobbied the UK Government extensively in the development of the Online Safety Bill. We will continue to pressure social media companies to do more to tackle hate on their platforms.
But we recognise we can do more. Collectively, we’re deeply committed to ensuring our game is representative of modern society by offering equality of opportunity across the whole of football.
Together, we will continue our work to make football a safer, more welcoming, and more enjoyable space for everyone.
