Tonight marks the end of the World Cup, one of the world’s greatest soccer celebrations, an event that captivates billions of fans in every corner of the globe. An event that for some is a joyful spectacle, while for others, the end of a match doesn’t simply mark the end of a soccer game. Defeats turn to rage, control is lost, and behind closed doors, another, unseen battle erupts—with women as the primary victims.
This, at least, is what research from Lancaster University has shown; according to the findings, every time the English national team is eliminated from major tournaments, cases of domestic violence skyrocket.
FRANÇOIS BRIE – Member of an NGO against violence against women:
“The home, the family is often the place where men who were already violent before a soccer match take out their aggression.”
Research has shown that domestic violence increases by 26% when the English national team plays and by 38% when it loses. This trend is not limited to this year’s tournament but is a long-standing phenomenon. During Euro 2024, British authorities recorded more than 300 incidents of domestic violence in which the victims believed the perpetrator’s behavior was linked to soccer.
In addition to the reports, calls to helplines regarding incidents of domestic violence also increased, with a 20% rise recorded during this year’s World Cup alone.
FRANÇOIS BRIE – Member of an NGO against violence against women
: “The entire sports world has a role to play. The more men—especially public figures—speak out openly, the more this violence can be curbed.”
The National Council of Police Chiefs
has also been collecting data on domestic violence related to soccer since 2016. The numbers may fluctuate, but the trend is remarkably consistent.
More specifically, during the 2016 Euro tournament, there were 96 incidents of domestic violence, while two years later, during the World Cup, the number reached 306. During the 2021 Euro tournament, there were 193 incidents, while during the 2022 World Cup, the number reached 119. During the 2024 Euro tournament, there were 351 incidents.
These figures already show that the problem exists and intensifies for women during major tournaments, especially when their partner already exhibits abusive tendencies. The problem is much greater when one considers how many other incidents exist that are not adequately reported.
Watch Eleni Michael’s report:
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