Racism in association football is the abuse of players, officials, and fans because of their skin colour, nationality, or ethnicity. Some may also be targeted because of their association with an opposing team, although there have been instances of individuals being targeted by their own fans. The topic of racism in association football has been widely covered by the media and in academic studies. There have been a range of responses by various associations, such as FIFA and UEFA, as well as by teams, and individual players and managers to address the problem.

The problem Racism in association football (soccer) is the abuse of players, officials, and fans because of their skin colour, nationality, or ethnicity. Some may also be targeted because of their association with an opposing team. However, there have been instances of individuals being targeted by their own fans.

The topic of racism in association football has been widely covered by the media as well as academic studies.

Responses In response to racist incidents at association football matches, in May 2013, FIFA, the international governing body of association football, announced new measures to deal with racism in the sport.

In October 2018, German player Antonio Rüdiger, who has been a victim of racist abuse stated that authorities needed to do more to deal with racism in the sport.

In April 2019, UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin said referees should stop games if a racist incident occurs, whilst FIFA President Gianni Infantino called for "harsh sanctions" to deal with racism in the sport.

In April 2019, Raheem Sterling, called for racist abuse to be punished with an automatic nine-point deduction for clubs, instead of handing out fines to the individuals directly performing the abuse.

In April 2019, the Professional Footballer's Association launched a social media campaign to make a stand against racial abuse calling upon social media organizations and the game's authorities to take action against racism.

In November 2019 Leon Balogun said there needed to be a collective response from players to racism.

Fatma Samoura, a black Muslim woman who occupied the position of Secretary General of FIFA from June 2016 to 31 December 2023, has said that her "last battle, and one that [she] will continue to fight even after [her] retirement from FIFA, is to make sure that we will root racism out of football".

In June 2025, FIFA was criticised for a lack of anti-racism messages at the 2025 Club World Cup.

In September 2025, FIFA launched an anti-racism panel consisting of 16 former players.

Africa

Morocco

After the loss of Argentina against Morocco during Group B stage in the 2024 Olympics, Argentine fans took to social media to attack Achraf Hakimi with racist and Islamophobic language. Hakimi was also attacked with similar language by Spanish fans after the latter country's victory in the quarterfinals of the Olympic competition.

Nigeria

Esther Okoronkwo had shared accusations of theft on social media ahead of the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. Although the perpetrators were arrested, she was subjected to racist language and imagery on social media; the Nigerian Football Federation and her club AFC Toronto condemned the incident.

Senegal Prior to Senegal's group-stage match against Japan in the 2018 FIFA World Cup, business magnate Alan Sugar tweeted a photo of the Senegal team with the caption: "I recognise some of these guys from the beach in Marbella. Multitasking, resourceful chaps". The tweet was criticised for being racist, with Osasu Obayiuwana, the associate editor of the New African magazine claiming that Sugar was playing "to a racist stereotype" and that "no Senegalese or African will see this as funny". Sugar quickly apologised for the remark, tweeting "I misjudged me earlier tweet. It was in no way intended to cause offence, and clearly my attempt at humour has backfired. I have deleted the tweet and am very sorry".

In March 2022, the Egyptian national team said they had been racially abused by Senegal fans.

South Africa From 1910 to 1991, South Africa had segregation policies before and under the Apartheid system as well as segregated football leagues in which the designated "black" race were not allowed to play in the Football Association of South Africa.Alegi, Peter and Chris Bolsmann. "From Apartheid to Unity: White Capital and Black Power in the Racial Integration of South African Football, 1976–1992." African Historical Review, vol. 42, no. 1, January 2010, p. 1. EBSCOhost, During the mid-1950s attempts by mainly South African blacks to desegregate the sport were stifled by FASA. In 1961, the FASA was suspended by the International Federation of Association Football for not complying with desegregation policies. During 1963, the ban was briefly lifted until it was reinstated in 1964 and remained in place for 28 years. In 1973, the South African games were held, and attempts by the South African government to keep the games segregated and the teams racially determined and confined led to the International Federation of Association Football to pull its support from the event. They were drawn in due to the promise of it being a non-racial event, but upon discovering that the teams were racially determined and the sports events themselves had segregated attendance, FIFA backed out. The South African Football Association (SAFA) was formed in December 1991 right before the end of Apartheid in South Africa in 1994, and has no racial requirements for play and entry.

Tunisia Following the defeat of Tunisia's national football team to Equatorial Guinea in the 2015 African Cup of Nations, at least twelve attacks were reported to have occurred in the capital and the southern city of Sfax. Some of these attacks were even against darker-skinned Tunisians due to their resemblance to sub-Saharan Africans. This was extended to social media through posts which focused on enslaving blacks and letting them be killed by Boko Haram, a radical group.The Associated, Press. 'Wave of Hate' against Africans After Tunisian Soccer Defeat. AP English Worldstream - English, Associated Press DBA Press Association, 2 March 2015.

Zambia Hanif Adams, the owner of Lusaka Dynamos, was subject to racist remarks due to his Indian heritage while running for president of the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ). Some individuals have been cited saying that a foreigner should not run FAZ. An individual when asked for reasoning stated that, "For the sake of national pride and patriotism, Faz should be run by indigenous black Zambians and not Indians or Pakistanis." Lusaka Dynamos neglected to back down from the race and told BBC Sport, "I am very disappointed for people bringing race issues into matters of football or any matter concerning the development of any country."

Asia Football racism and violence have decreased considerably during the 1990s through appropriate legislation such as the Football Offences Act (1991) which made racist chanting unlawful. However, racist chanting has not completely disappeared and much current abuse is linked to Asians, resulting in many still feeling intimidated. Institutionalized racism plays a large part in reducing prospects for footballing recruits from Asian communities.McGuire, Brendon, et al. "Young Asian Males: Social Exclusion and Social Injustice in British Professional Football." Culture, Sport, Society, vol. 4, no. 3, November 2001, p. 65. EBSCOhost. In a study conducted by Bains and Patel, it was recorded that over 90 percent of the Asian Heritage respondents saw both institutional racism and the existence of racist supporters as being barriers to entry into the professional game.Johal, Sanjiev. "Playing Their Own Game: a South Asian Football Experience." Race', Sport and British Society (2001): 153-69. Many cases of segregation have been recorded resulting in many Asians playing in 'Asian only leagues', thus distancing themselves further from mainstream society and popular culture.Saeed, Amir and Daniel Kilvington. "British-Asians and Racism within Contemporary English Football." Soccer & Society, vol. 12, no. 5, September 2011, pp. 602-612. EBSCOhost. Subjection to overt racist abuse from coaches, players and spectators is a primary common denominator for many Asian footballers leading to feelings of isolation and exclusion from after-training socializing and ritual young male bonding.

Researchers who wrote the Asians Can't Play Football report somewhat presciently uncovered a culpable order of ignorance and thinly disguised racism that had proscribed any sustained South Asian progression in the game. Numerous problematic stereotypes still have a firm hold over the Asian identity. The standard stereotype of South Asian people is one of the submissive, naturally placid and physically frail individual. It has been stated that the Asian build is not that of a footballer and that the stereotype of "weak Asian" is influenced by notions of 'race' and issues of national identity. Common stereotypes list the Asian pupil as typically seen as physically frail, lacking in stamina and likely to underachieve. A 'Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) survey highlighted that there were only 10 Asian players at Premier League academies' 48 and in 2006, there were 'only four Asian players in the professional game'. These stereotypes exist because there is an under-achievement and if they subsist, 'scouts, coaches, and managers' will not visit places of high Asian population. What unites most South Asian teams is the common experience of racism and a particular racism that is parasitically exacted through football.

China

On 4 August 2018, Demba Ba was the victim of alleged racial abuse by Changchun Yatai player Zhang Li.

In June 2020, Odion Ighalo revealed that in one game in China he got called all sorts of names and reported it to the FA, but he did not press forward with it because he "[didn't] like to drag issues out".

Hong Kong

There were reports of targeted racial attacks against the Philippine national team while they competed at Mongkok Stadium in a friendly against Hong Kong. The event was held on 4 June 2013. Hong Kong fans reportedly called their counterparts "slaves", threw bottles at them and booed at the Philippine national anthem. Hong Kong lost the friendly match to the Philippines, 1–0. At the end of the game, Hong Kong fans reportedly threw debris at the Philippine team and gallery, occupied mostly by wives and children of the players.

Benny Chan, spokesman of the Hong Kong Football Association, announced that the football body will release an official report to FIFA and the public after its investigation is completed. Philippine football officials are likewise waiting for the report before filing a complaint to FIFA.

India In May 2020, Indian captain Sunil Chhetri faced racist comments during his Instagram Live session with Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli.

Japan

In March 2014, J1 League club Urawa Red Diamonds had to play to an empty stadium; their fans had been banned following racist banners displayed in previous matches.

Malaysia

In February 2019, Antonio German left Malaysian club Selangor one month into a one-year contract; he later said he left the club due to racism.

Philippines

The Philippine Football Federation filed a complaint with GMA Network over a comment made by news anchor Arnold Clavio over controversial remarks directed at the Philippines national football team. A popular radio and television newscaster and program host of morning news show Unang Hirit, Clavio was quoted as saying that foreign-born players are not Filipinos (emphasizing the fact that they were not born in the Philippines). Clavio later retracted this statement, insisting that he had not intended to offend anyone.