Why does domestic violence increase when England lose? ·

09 Dec 2023, 00:00

The World Cup is officially underway, and after the Lionesses bought the European Trophy home, we have high expectations for the men's side. After reaching the finals of the European Championships in 2021 – and following a series of lacklustre international breaks – tension is mounting as to whether the England men's squad are up to the challenge. 

Sadly, the tension won't be limited to the pitch. By now, you may have heard the oft-repeated statistic that domestic violence increases by 38% when the England team lose, peaking around 10 hours after kick-off. For many people in abusive relationships, major footballing competitions, such as the World Cup, signal the start of intense periods of fear and anxiety at the hands of their partner. 

This statistic is based on a relatively small study from 2014, which reported instances of intimate partner violence across three World Cup tournaments. Due to the nature of domestic abuse, which is often considered a “hidden crime”, it's feasible that this statistic is merely the tip of the iceberg regarding domestic abuse incidents during major football tournaments. 

It's also estimated that one in five women experience unwanted physical attention during men's football matches, according to a Football Supporters' Association survey. The same survey found that 24% of women at men's football matches reported hearing sexist chanting; 44% had been told they knew a lot about football “for a girl”; and 26% had been told they only liked football because they fancied the players. 

The Home Office has launched a campaign with GOAL as part of the ‘Enough.’ campaign – developed with Women's Aid – to “raise awareness of football-related abuse towards women in England and Wales” and to promote the idea that “the responsibility to end domestic violence and sexual harassment against women and girls lies amongst our men and boys.” 

The campaign is fronted by Josh Denzel, who spoke to GLAMOUR about why football has become such a hotbed for misogyny and – more importantly – how men can intervene to ensure that sexist attitudes have no place within the so-called beautiful game.

Let's get one thing straight: perpetrators are solely responsible for the violence they choose to inflict on their partners, regardless of what sport they enjoy watching. However, the culture of misogyny that appears to be rife within men's football warrants further investigation. 

Speaking to GLAMOUR, Denzel highlighted that football has long been considered a “boy's club” where people just aren't being called out for sexist behaviours. Ten years ago, he adds, "if there was a song or a chant or some banter going around in a group chat […] no one has been really standing up and saying, 'Do you know what mate? I think that's a bit out of line.' It really can spill over from the football life into your personal life and your home life as well."

“A culture that ridicules women will inevitably foster an environment which endangers them.”

Sure, chants and the like could be considered “banter,” but a culture that ridicules women will inevitably foster an environment which endangers them. Speaking to the Financial Times about banter in the workplace, Laura Bates – the founder of Everyday Sexism – said, “If you have a culture where the low-level stuff is brushed off and accepted, that normalises and smooths the way for more serious abuses not to be taken seriously.”

We've long been approaching a crisis point for domestic violence in the UK, with the latest statistics from the Office for National Statistics indicating that the number of police-recorded domestic abuse-related crimes in England and Wales rose by 6% from 2020 to 2021 – as well as a 22% increase in people accessing the National Domestic Abuse Helpline. 

Reflecting on how men can play an important role in calling out sexism, Denzel noted, "If you see something, you don't necessarily have to be a catalyst to blow the situation up as it were. You can take someone to the side quietly. 

“After the fact, you can explain to people and educate people whether they be your friends or people that you don't know about why their behaviour is unacceptable and how it can really cause an issue for people wanting to go to games.”

"If supposedly low-level banter is prevalent within men's football – whether it's between professional players or within fan bases – this attitude may underpin more serious instances of violence against women."

The campaign prioritises educating and empowering men to intervene rather than blaming them for the crisis. Reflecting on this Denzel said, “Talking to and educating your friends if you see something happening is the best way. When that information comes from somebody that you trust, that you respect […] it's so much more hard-hitting than somebody shouting at you.”

Denzel continues, “I think education is so key, and it's calling out your friends and highlighting why that behaviour is unacceptable. Rather than bashing them for it, just really explain that ‘Right. Cool. You might have thought that that was just a bit of harmless fun…’ and really digging down into why that behaviour is so harmful.”

The overriding message is that if supposedly low-level banter is prevalent within men's football – whether it's between professional players or within fan bases – this attitude may underpin more serious instances of violence against women. 

Farah Nazeer, chief executive of Women’s Aid told GLAMOUR, “Looking at the positive role that football can play in this is a key part of this work: through our Football United Against Domestic Violence campaign, we know only too well that football players and fans have a vital role in helping change attitudes and responses towards abuse and violence against women. 

"By changing public attitudes and challenging everyday misogyny and sexism, we can all help to make society a safer place for women and girls.”

GLAMOUR also spoke to Alan Collins, a partner in the sex abuse team at Hugh James, who notes that, per the UN, “30% of women have been subjected to physical and/or sexual violence by an intimate partner or non-partner sexual violence or both.” He describes this as “an uncomfortable statistic,” which “begs the question of how is it in the 21st century that domestic and sexual violence can still exist?” 

He explains that the answer is “complex and to put it down to football being a “man’s game” would be stereotyping as well as wrong and, particularly, so when one looks at the success of the women’s team. Nevertheless, it does not mean that a link between football and abuse can be dismissed.” 

Victoria Cannon, a partner at Stowe Family Law, adds that “Most survivors do not report abuse, fearing repercussions and being subjected to further abuse.”

Disturbingly, Cannon further identifies that “Often, the police are too busy to deal with cases, stating 'it’s a civil matter' or 'it’s a domestic situation.'” 

"There are, however remedies a family lawyer can offer, which include injunctive provisions with a power for the police to arrest, for persistent behaviour.  

"Awareness and signposting are also key. Domestic abuse charities and support networks can help find survivors temporary relief and permanent foundations to start a new life away from their perpetrator.  

"My advice is to contact a specialist charity or family lawyer as soon as you experience what you believe to be abuse, no matter how small or insignificant.”     
For more information and examples of how to intervene safely, information on support services, how to report violence to the police, and guidance for individuals worried about their own behaviour, visit .

For more information about emotional abuse and domestic violence, you can call The Freephone National Domestic Abuse Helpline, run by Refuge on 0808 2000 247, or access support services on Women's Aid.

For more from Glamour UK's Lucy Morgan, follow her on Instagram @lucyalexxandra.

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