Professional football players in England have told a campaign group that racism and homophobia are common. Over 200 players from the Premier League, and lower leagues, took part in a survey made by the group Kick It Out. The group said racism and homophobia were everywhere in English football. Over half of the players said they regularly saw racism and homophobia. A quarter said they got racist or homophobic comments from fans or other players. One in five said they saw it from their own teammates. Many players said there should be better policing at football matches.

Kick It Out said things were getting better slowly in football. Many players complained publicly about the slow progress in tackling racism and discrimination in football. Former Premier League player Paul Mortimer said there was less racism and homophobia now than there was in the 1980s and 1990s. He said there is still discrimination in all clubs and at training grounds across the country, but things have improved. He said players and fans still use racist and homophobic language. He added: "This kind of mentality is still in the dark ages. It has to move on."