Over 90% of female football fans 'have seen online sexist abuse'

More than 90% of female football fans have witnessed sexist abuse being directed at other women online, according to a new survey.

The data was gathered by Her Game Too, a campaign group seeking to make football a more welcoming and respectful environment for women and girls, and they say it exposes the level of misogyny which still exists.

The group surveyed 371 female football fans, with 91.9% saying they had seen online abuse being directed at other women, while 63.1% said they had been abused online themselves.

The survey also found that 58.4% had experienced sexist abuse in person, either at a football ground or watching football in a pub.

Niall Couper, from the Fair Game group which partners with Her Game Too for more sustainable governance for the game, said: “These latest statistics are horrific. Sexism has no place in our national game.

“It needs to be addressed immediately and that’s why we are calling for new robust equality standards.

“The standards are good in principle, but we need to move away from the failed tick box culture. It needs to be about outcomes. The game needs to wake up and smell the coffee.

“We need realistic long-term solutions that condemn sexism in football to history.”

Her Game Too seeks to champion women in football and create stronger relationships with clubs and have a presence at grounds and bars showing sport with a view to making them more welcoming for female fans.