Survey finds over half of football fans say black players STILL face different treatment from fans and media
Football365 survey reveals 64 per cent of fans believe black footballers are treated differently by football fans; 77 per cent believe black footballers are treated differently by the English media; 79 per cent have witnessed racist abuse on social media in the last 12 months.
A new survey of UK football supporters reveals that racial disparities in football are STILL a major concern in 2025.
Over three-quarters of supporters (77 per cent) from a representative sample of over 1,000 fans believe black players are treated differently by the English media, fuelling concerns around ongoing discrimination and racism in the media.
The survey, conducted by independent football website Football365, also found a further 64 per cent saying that fans treat black players differently as well.
Racism in English football has long been a problem, with high-profile players such as Raheem Sterling and Marcus Rashford speaking out against unfair criticism, biased media coverage and the ‘polarising’ tone of news stories linked to their skin colour.
The treatment of Jude Bellingham by parts of the British press has brought the issue back into sharper focus. Former England and Arsenal striker Ian Wright recently defended Bellingham, saying some people are “not ready for a black superstar” and arguing that negative narratives around him are influenced by race.
“They cannot get to this guy. He is an achiever, he’s a winner,” Wright said on the Stick to Football podcast. “If you are outspoken, black, and performing at that level, it frightens certain people. It’s a tiring exercise to speak about.”
The Football365 survey supports Wright’s view, with 64 per cent of fans saying Bellingham’s media coverage is negatively influenced by his race. Nearly half (45 per cent) agreed that English football is not “ready for a black superstar.”
Other key findings included:
- 79 per cent of fans have seen racist abuse on social media in the last 12 months
- 31 per cent of supporters have witnessed racist abuse at a football match in the last 12 months
“Racism and discrimination have been a blight on English football for far too long. Though decent strides have been made since the truly bleak days, the research shows that there is still much to be done,” said Football365 website editor Sarah Winterburn.
“The results of this survey, as well as wider data, make for alarming reading. Kick It Out received 1,398 reports of discrimination last season, marking a rise from the previous campaign (1,332) and the highest figure ever recorded by the charity. Racism remains the most reported form of discrimination.
“You only have to look at how players like Raheem Sterling were treated by the press, or the hypocrisy around the backlash to the abuse received by Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka and Jadon Sancho after the Euros in 2021, to see there’s more we can do. It’s vitally important that we call out racism in football whenever we see it - whether that’s in the media, on social media, or in person.”