Did you know that sexist chanting at football matches can already lead to prosecution, and that new legislation is set to strengthen the law further?

It will allow certain public order offences to be prosecuted as sex-aggravated offences.

Supporters will be familiar with efforts to tackle racist and homophobic chanting, alongside the FSA’s work to raise awareness of tragedy chanting. Now there is another important message about misogynistic behaviour at football.

We spoke to the experts at Football Law Associates to understand the law a little better…

What’s changing?

The Crime and Policing Act 2026 received Royal Assent in April 2026 and extends existing aggravated offences to cover hostility based on sex. The sex-aggravated offence provisions in the Crime and Policing Act 2026 are not yet in force, but they are incoming.

However, separate legislation addressing sex-based harassment is already in force as of April 1st 2026 and sexist chanting may already constitute a criminal offence, depending on the words used and the circumstances.

Abuse does not necessarily have to be directed at a particular individual.

Threatening or abusive chanting at a match may amount to an offence under section 5 of the Public Order Act 1986 where the legal requirements are met, even if the chanting is not directed at a particular individual.

Once the new provisions come into force, prosecutors may also consider whether an offence was aggravated by hostility based on sex.

Simply directing abuse at a person does not automatically make an offence sex-aggravated. The words used and the circumstances surrounding the incident will matter.

Supporters should be aware that sexist chanting and abusive behaviour at football matches can have serious consequences, including prosecution and a Football Banning Order (FBO).

What are the police doing?

Police can already use section 4B of the Public Order Act 1986 to tackle sex-based harassment. It carries a maximum sentence of two years’ imprisonment.

Sex-based harassment covers threatening, abusive, or insulting words, disorderly behaviour, or displaying threatening/abusive/insulting writing or signs, with intent to cause harassment, alarm, or distress.

A conviction for a qualifying football-related section 4B offence can also lead to an application for an FBO. The forthcoming 2026 provisions will go further by allowing certain other public order offences to be prosecuted as sex-aggravated offences where hostility based on sex is established.

During the World Cup, the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) was made aware of more than 60 social media posts targeting women and girls, which were being assessed alongside the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to establish whether criminal offences had been committed.

The NPCC has confirmed that national training is being developed to strengthen investigations into sex-based harassment, with police working alongside the UK Football Policing Unit.

Deputy assistant commissioner Helen Millichap described the problem as a “preventable harm”.

“Policing has an important role in pursuing offenders and protecting victims, but meaningful change will come through prevention, education and influential voices across society taking a clear stand against abuse,” she said.

What does the FSA think?

The FSA has long supported an education-led approach to tackling offensive chanting.

We have worked to discourage tragedy chanting, backed the Safer Stadiums project and supported Kick It Out’s Fan Education Programme.

There have been good examples of clubs using player-led content to discourage small sections of supporters from singing offensive songs and, should a club find its fan-base engaging in misogynistic chants, such a campaign would be a hugely positive response.

While education is important, supporters should not assume it will be offered as an alternative to criminal proceedings.

The CPS and police have made clear that football-related offending will be dealt with robustly. Where there is sufficient evidence of a criminal offence, prosecution will usually follow.

Where a supporter is convicted of a relevant football-related offence, the prosecution will apply for an FBO. These have serious consequences.

The FSA’s Hannah Kumari says: “I’ve experienced sexism and misogyny first hand at football, as have many women, across all levels of the pyramid.

“Half of women at the match have experienced sexist language and behaviour while that figure jumps up to eight out of ten among ethnic minority and LGBTQ+ women in the UK.

“We will not accept the normalisation of sexism and misogyny as part of football culture and would encourage clubs to take strong actions in challenging unacceptable behaviour.”

The FSA is raising awareness of the forthcoming changes so that supporters understand the law, what lies ahead and the potential consequences of sexist chanting and abuse at football matches.

“It’s not just banter” is a new video from FSA members challenging sexist chanting at the match, in the latest part of our Women’s Voice in the Men’s Game campaign. Read more: https://t.co/CZl7CDUSn1 pic.twitter.com/8zpjIBBN2S

— The FSA (@WeAreTheFSA) June 19, 2025

Football Law Associates 

Football Law Associates specialise in representing football supporters who require advice and assistance at the police station or court.

Representation at the police station is free under the Legal Aid Advice & Assistance Scheme and some supporters will be eligible for free representation at court. Football Law Associates have had a long standing working relationship with the FSA since 2008 assisting countless supporters over the years.

If you would like a confidential and free call with one of their solicitors please call 0333 939 0063 or contact via Football Law Associates.

• If you’ve seen discrimination in football – whether that’s online, grassroots, non-league or the professional game – you can report it to Kick It Out here.