Despite widespread reports of misconduct, most women in football see no consequences, exposing a culture of silence and inaction.
Women in Football has revealed four in five women working in the sport report experiencing workplace sexism.
The findings come from the organisation’s fifth annual industry workforce survey, published on September 25, which shows 78% of women have faced gender-based discrimination.
Over half reported incidents of sexism or misogyny, with a further 63.5% of women admitting they had encountered sexist jokes or ‘banter’.
The UK-based non-profit gathered responses from 867 individuals, including 759 women, 100 men and 8 people who identified as non-binary.
Data analysis by Unity, a community interest company, showed respondents represented a spectrum of career stages, with 71% in full-time employment, 14.6% executives, CEOs or directors and 16.8% in entry-level roles.
“The headline data from the 2025 survey remains relatively static, and in many areas, bleak,” said Women in Football CEO Yvonne Harrison.
“They are not just numbers: they are the lived experiences of people working in the game, and they deserve better. If the industry is to change, we need to recognise these hard truths.”
Harrison also noted levels of discrimination may be higher, with a third of female respondents saying they hadn’t reported incidents due to mistrust in workplace processes or fear of retaliation. This concern is echoed by 56% of women surveyed who said no action was taken after reporting gender-based discrimination.
Men starting to notice
The survey found 69% of male respondents recognise women must work harder than men to receive the same recognition and benefits.
Among those who have found success, many Women in Football members credit personal traits, such as resilience (67%) and determination (63%) as key factors in overcoming these challenges.
Harrison added: “We cannot keep relying on the resilience of women. We need women to be supported, valued, and recognised. These are not questions of cost. It is a question of culture, and a commitment to ensuring psychological safety.”
A stain on a summer of success
Women’s football in England has seen significant growth over the past two years, no doubt in part to the nation’s success in the 2022 Women’s Euros. The Lionesses’ second consecutive Euros win earlier this year highlighted the sport’s rising popularity.
“When you’re reflecting on what has happened commercially with the game, it’s almost like traveling somewhere with your GPS, and the GPS is constantly recalculating,” Lisa Parfitt, Co-Founder of marketing agency The Space Between, told Insider Sport:
“Things are changing, new bridges are being built, new buildings are rising, and you end up at a completely different destination than you expected. That’s what [England’s Euros triumph] felt like.”
England’s semi-final victory over Italy drew more than 10 million viewers on ITV, while their group-stage match against Wales outperformed the men’s Club World Cup final, despite airing simultaneously.
The tournament also generated $149.3m in revenue, nearly 10 times more than in 2017, with sponsorships tripling and ticket sales breaking records.
Not just a football problem
While the survey focused on football, the issues are not isolated to the sport. In August, Salford Red Devils’ Chief Operating Officer Claire Bradbury resigned, alleging club ownership used “misogynistic, inappropriate language.”
She explained one incident where a senior figure suggested she sleep with someone at the Rugby Football League to “smooth things over.”
Salford is currently facing financial and operational challenges, including missed wages, reliance on borrowed players, and a failed $2.42m (£1.8m) investment deal.
Bradbury’s account mirrors survey responses about the reluctance to report misconduct. “At the time I stayed quiet because I wanted the Club to succeed. I’m disappointed in myself that I didn’t stand up to it then so I’m voicing it now as it should be heard for the integrity and evolution of rugby league, and for all women who work in sport,” she wrote.
Responding to the allegations, Salford told Insider Sport:
“Salford Red Devils unequivocally condemns any and all forms of inappropriate language and behaviour. We treat such allegations with the utmost seriousness and are committed to ensuring that our club environment remains respectful, professional, and safe for all members of staff.
“In response to these allegations, we will be conducting a thorough internal investigation. We are determined to establish the facts and take any necessary action to address the situation. We will provide a detailed report of our findings as soon as the investigation is concluded.”
