‘Around 900 EFL players abused online last season’

The EFL says “approximately 900 individual players were subjected to online abuse” at some point during the 2024-25 season.

According to figures released by the EFL for the last campaign, there were also 141 incidents of racist abuse at grounds and more than 5,000 incidents of online abuse.

The EFL estimates that 17 fans were banned from their clubs and a further 24 faced police convictions for racist abuse at EFL stadiums. Another 26 were referred for restorative justice and there are more than 80 cases still under investigation, the league added.

Last week the League One game between Exeter City and Reading was stopped for a short time in the 74th-minute after a report of a racist comment towards an Exeter player by a visiting supporter.

The EFL is hoping to show fans that reporting abuse can have an impact with its Together Against Racism, which runs from 17-27 October.

The week aims to highlight the work the league and its 72 member clubs deliver all season long to combat racism.

“Positive action is being taken, including issuing stadium bans to individuals who engage in discriminatory behaviour, referring cases of online abuse to the relevant authorities, and supporting the rehabilitation of offenders so they can understand the real-life consequences of their actions,” EFL chief executive Trevor Birch said.

“This is a multi-faceted approach – and crucially, the work does not stop here.”