Football and Domestic Abuse: Why Major Tournaments Increase the Risk

Ever said “it’s just a game” to a football fan? I wouldn’t recommend it. Many a wall has been graced with a fist mark by a man whose team has lost. Football can bring out the very worst of British culture: racism, binge drinking, masculinity pressures and violent behaviour. 

​Domestic abuse increases during the World Cup

In 2022, Women’s Aid launched ‘He’s Coming Home’ – a campaign that’s still going because the problem remains. Win or lose, women are at greater risk of harm during the World Cup.

Cases of domestic abuse increased by 38% when England lost a match and 26% when they won or drew.

Football alone doesn't cause domestic abuse of course, and perpetrators are responsible for their own behaviour, but aspects can increase the risk of harmful behaviours.

For myself, and others who work in domestic abuse, this statistic isn’t a surprise. I work with both survivors and perpetrators of abuse, and used to work on a Domestic Abuse Perpetrator Programme. You can read more about my experience of that here, but an important theme was that many men I worked with didn’t know how to show or process emotions. They’d never had it modelled to them by parents, friends or society. For some of them, it was the first time they’d shown any vulnerability in front of other men.

I’ve heard men say that football is the only time they’re “allowed” to show emotion. They have no choice but to bottle it up until a football game, when they're finally allowed to cry, shout or scream. But this isn't about blaming men. It's another example of patriarchy harming everyone, not just women.

On the Perpetrator Programme, we often talked about the "man box" – the rules of masculinity people feel they have to follow in order to stay in the box and be accepted. Many of the men didn't want to be in the box. They wanted to do things that were outside it, like cry in front of other people, but they were fearful.

Other men uphold these expectations of masculinity, and women do too. Transgender people can also feel pressure to conform to gender expectations in order to "pass", which can be a matter of serious safety because of the discrimination and hostility many trans people experience. Again, patriarchy and gender expectations can be harmful to everyone.

An example of the Man Box. Copyright Mel Ciavucco 2026

​Football, Discrimination and Aggression

According to the Kick It Out Campaign, reports of discrimination increased in 2024/2025:

• Reports of sexism and misogyny rose by 67%
• Online sexist content reports rose by 72%
• Ableist abuse increased by 45%
• Racism continued to dominate in the reports, whilst reported transphobic abuse doubled.
• In youth football, reports involving girls’ football doubled, with abuse ranging from sexist slurs and exclusion to racist comments and the targeting of young female referees.

This is likely a reflection of wider issues increasing across society, but football can heighten the problem by normalising discriminatory language and aggressive behaviour. And this is only what's reported, so it's likely just the tip of the iceberg.
​
Of course, all of this exists within a culture of systemic oppression and discrimination that's embedded in the institutions, policies and systems we live in. Despite there being footballers from many different backgrounds and ethnicities, the owners of football teams are rarely from minoritised backgrounds.

The same report highlights that racism and white supremacy exist in football because they exist in our everyday lives and systems. Football brings out heightened emotions and can increase pack mentality, making misogyny, racism and other forms of discrimination more likely because they're seen as "allowed". When these behaviours are modelled by others, they become normalised, and that can be further fuelled by alcohol or other substances.

Where there's increased misogyny, alcohol and pent-up emotions, it's going to encourage harmful behaviour towards others. This isn't just men harming women. It's harm towards anyone of any gender, including other men. Going home into a relationship where there may already be a risk of domestic abuse understandably increases that risk further.

​Football isn't the cause, but it's part of the culture

For those who love football, or who go and have a lovely time without harming anyone – good for them. I know football is a huge part of some people's identity, and they find community, belonging and connection through it. If only we could have just those parts of football: the connection, the bringing people together and the sense of belonging, without the harm. These cultural issues are much bigger than football, but it helps if football fans recognise the risks and challenge the harmful attitudes and behaviours that can surround the game.

Domestic abuse is about patterns of power and control within relationships, but it also exists within wider systems of power and control. That includes our culture, and football is part of that culture. Many factors influence domestic abuse, but this is an important risk factor we can all help do something about.

Helplines and Information

• Freephone 24-Hour National Domestic Violence Helpline: 0808 2000 247 by Refuge
  
• The Men’s Advice Line, for male domestic abuse survivors – 0808 801 0327 (run by Respect)
• The Mix, free information and support for under 25s in the UK – 0808 808 4994
• National LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline – 0800 999 5428 (run by Galop)
• Samaritans (24 hr service) – 116 123

 
Counselling Services

I work with people impacted by domestic abuse and those worried about their own behaviour. Find out more about my counselling service here, or contact me for a free 15-minute introductory chat.