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“It’s not just banter” – New video released challenging sexist chanting on matchdays

“It’s not just banter” – A new video has been released this week challenging the sexist chanting which have been heard on matchdays.

The FSA’s Hannah Kumari was behind the idea having FSA members in a video calling on men at the match to challenge sexist chanting which remains all too commonplace.

It begins with real footage of Sheffield Wednesday fans being subject to sexist chanting on their way home after a match.

This comes after we saw another video in September 2024, showing a scenario of a man being on the end of abuse from women.

“We wanted to keep it simple with women explaining how they feel,” Hannah said. “I hope it might encourage men who defend this behaviour to see things from our perspective.

“We still don’t actually talk about sexist chanting enough, many people sadly still have the attitude that it’s simply part of football. That it’s banter. We’re here to say it’s not.”

FSA report: The issue of sexist chanting has been a persistent one in recent seasons, often centering around high-profile Premier League players – most recently the instances of chanting around Phil Foden’s family, the Mason Greenwood case and the ongoing investigation of an unnamed Premier League footballer on sexual assault charges.

“The chants heard around these cases are weaponising violence against women and girls simply to wind up opposition teams, players and supporters.” Hannah continued.

“I’ve heard sexist chanting as a fan. It makes me think I don’t belong here, that this isn’t my space – that’s not a great feeling.

“Women at the match shouldn’t have to put up with it. At the end of the day, we just want to be part of something and not excluded.”

“It was really well-received at the AGM and we had a great discussion about it,” Hannah said.

“Everyone agreed that this wasn’t about sanitising football, no-one wants a football culture where you aren’t allowed to say anything.

“We all shout and swear at the match, we don’t want to lose that passion but it is about recognising the real impact sexist chanting can and does have.”

“We hope it connects with people,” Hannah said. “We want men to reflect on sexist chanting and to start challenging it.”

A new system for reporting sexism and misogyny at football matches will come into effect in response to the growing abuse of female fans.

Kick It Out’s chief operating officer, Hollie Varney said: “As reports of sexism and misogyny in football continue to rise, this relationship is an important step to ensuring that those who experience discrimination are listened to and have the support they need.

“At Kick It Out, we believe working collaboratively to drive change is the best way to combat discrimination.”

Research from Kick it Out found that more than half of all female fans (52%) had experienced or witnessed sexist behaviour or language on match-days, with 85% of those people saying they had not reported the incident, with many believing it would not make a difference.

“We are delighted to be joining forces with Kick It Out officially,” said Caz May, the CEO of Her Game Too.

“They have an extremely experienced team dedicated to handling reports, and with Her Game Too being run by volunteers, it makes sense to spread the workload across both organisations. Her Game Too will still be on hand to support victims, offering face-to-face or virtual meet ups with our ambassadors and advisers across the country.”

In 2024, Wes Morgan said to talkSPORT after looking at the figures: “I was quite shocked and surprised. I knew it probably happened a lot more back in the day, but I wasn’t aware it was still continuing to this day.

“When I saw the data surrounding sexism and misogyny and what female fans experience at games I felt it was time to step up and at least try to help in anyway I can.”

This is how Twitter users reacted to “It’s not just banter” – a new video released challenging sexist chanting on matchdays…

@_owlornothing_: Unfortunately, the opening footage is mine. It’s miserable to be constantly reminded that a loud contingent think you don’t belong in the game you’ve dedicated your life to. Forming @SWFCwsg as a result wasn’t a bad outcome, though 💙

@steve_noonan: As a dad of two daughters who’ve had season tickets from being 3 and are now 20 and 17 I’ll just add that with the outcome being @SWFCwsg I think you won that round. Shame there’s still some way to go but a journey of a thousand miles and all that 👏

@blackpoolwhite: My wife was subject to mysoginist and patronising comments from an FSA board and @lufctrust member some years ago, which is why she doesn’t go to their AGM days now. No apologies nor in fact any acknowledgement – their hypocrisy is staggering.

@_CharlieThePooh: I was one of the lasses getting shouted at from the tram here, it fucking sucked. it’s hard to put into words how ‘othering’ and gross this stuff is: as fans we can deffo have a laugh and a joke at games without being minging horrible pricks to women + girls. let’s do better. i’ve shouted all sorts of shit at the match, at rival fans, at players, mostly at referees… never once has it been necessary to be sexist or racist or homophobic. there’s fuck all need for it. it’s 2025, guys, just be fucking norMAL.

@HammersUnited2: It really isn’t ‘just banter’.

@TerraceGrain: You hear this week in week out. I’d be absolutely mortified if I heard my lad say stuff like this. Lads, let’s be better please.

@NorthYorksOwls: Amazing work that @SWFCwsg since this sad incident! Regarding the Knobheads that did this, bet their grandma/ mum or sister are proud! If anyone sang this to my daughter at a game I’d smash their fucking teeth in…… anyway. Keep up the great work ladies

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