The Premier League is making it clear there is No Room For Racism as we continue to work with all our clubs, fans, the FA, EFL, PFA, Kick It Out and the police to tackle discrimination across all areas of football.
The League’s No Room For Racism campaign demonstrates its continued commitment to equality and diversity, using the power and popularity of the League to oppose racism in football.
Racism is not acceptable in our competition or the wider sport.
Reporting abuse
Everyone attending or taking part in a football match has the right to feel safe, valued and included and we encourage supporters to continue to play their part in this.
If you witness racist or other discriminatory behaviour at a match or around a stadium, please report it to the police or a steward.
You can also report racism by using the Kick It Out reporting app (download the iOS app or Android app) or via Kick It Out's website reporting form.
See: Report racism
What we are doing
Ongoing work includes reviewing how offenders are identified, investigated and sanctioned. Education also takes place through rehabilitation programmes.
Senior stewards have been trained in evidence-gathering at matches through the use of technology, such as increased CCTV coverage at grounds and bodycams, to inhibit offending behaviour and aid the identification of offenders.
The Premier League is also developing additional training for stewards to ensure they are empowered and equipped to deal with discrimination at matches.
Pressure on social media
Football is putting pressure on social media companies to tackle the issue of racism on their platforms.
In addition, the League is working with its BAME Participants’ Advisory Group to ensure the views of BAME players and coaches are heard and to help inform ongoing work.
After such consultation, the League launched a dedicated reporting system for players, managers, coaches and their family members who receive serious discriminatory online abuse.
The central rapid response reporting system will enable players, managers and coaches to notify the Premier League of serious discriminatory abuse received via direct messages on social media platforms.
Each case will be reviewed, reported to the relevant social media company, investigated and legal action taken where appropriate.
Making football a welcoming sport
The No Room For Racism campaign sits within the Premier League’s general inclusion initiative "This is Everyone’s Game".
The Premier League fully supports clubs, Kick It Out and football’s other bodies in working together to make football a truly welcoming and inclusive sport.
This includes ensuring that offences can be readily reported and that all available sanctions are used to deter offending and punish those found guilty of racism.
The League will work with clubs and fans – and build upon existing partnerships with the Police, Crown Prosecution Service, stewards and supporter groups – to maintain a consistent approach to racist abuse.
Promoting inclusion
In February 2019, the Premier League and its Clubs discussed enhancing the range of programmes currently run to promote inclusion and diversity across football.
All Clubs agreed that, while good work has been undertaken, more needs to be done to ensure Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) fans and players are supported.
Clubs also backed plans to further improve career pathways to encourage greater diversity in coaching, refereeing and administrative roles within the sport.
As well as nationwide advertising in 2019 featuring Premier League players, managers and supporters, each season two Matchweeks celebrate the campaign, with stadiums across the country displaying the No Room For Racism banner.
The League also gave their support to the players’ wishes to have "Black Lives Matter" on their shirts for the remainder of the restarted 2019/20 season, as well as backing players who "take a knee" before or during matches.
In June 2020, the Premier League, Professional Footballers Association (PFA) and EFL launched a coach placement scheme that will provide up to six BAME coaches per season with a 23-month intensive work placement within EFL clubs.
