Lauren Webb, goalkeeper for Cambridge United Women, said the new FA ban of at least 10 games for discriminatory behaviour is a step in the right direction. The FA announced the change in 2024, following a local investigation that found only one reported case of discrimination against a female player in Cambridgeshire over the past two years.
New FA sanctions
Under the updated guidelines, anyone found guilty of discriminatory behaviour will face a minimum 10‑game ban. This is an increase from the 6‑to‑12‑match suspensions that independent regulatory commissions had previously recommended for aggravated breaches. The FA’s definition of discriminatory conduct now explicitly includes references to ethnic origin, colour, race, nationality, religion or belief, sex, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, or disability.
Local context
Last season, the Cambridgeshire FA (CFA) reported 37 cases of discrimination. In the two years up to 2024, only one case involving a female player had been formally reported. Webb, who has endured homophobic and sexist comments both in person and online, said the new rule could deter future abuse. She added that “having procedures in place for young female players, for example in the men’s game, there’s someone who can call it out and you can report it to them” would help.
Education and reporting
The CFA’s chief executive, Jo Knox, noted that there are probably more unreported cases. After analysing all discrimination reports at the end of the 2025‑26 season, the CFA found that 3 % of all reports were sex‑based. The CFA is developing a resources library on its website to educate clubs and individuals and is working with the anti‑discrimination charity Kick It Out to embed a consistent anti‑discrimination message throughout the football community.
Looking ahead
The FA stated that any further aggravated breaches will be treated with the utmost seriousness, with sanctions exceeding those for a first offence. Webb said the new rule “definitely needed harsher sanctions and I think it needs to be followed through.” She hopes the tougher sanctions will be enforced when a situation arises, holding offenders accountable.
