Domestic Abuse & Football: The Link

Article updated 18 June 2026

 

The 2026 World Cup is in full swing, with supporters from around the world travelling to the US to cheer on their national team. Whilst the news teams inevitably film those flag-draped intrepid fans enjoying a pre-match beer, or cheering on their team in the streets, the majority of football fans will be watching on tv at home. It may be the beautiful game to many, but there is an ugly link between televised football matches and a rise in domestic abuse.

 

A change in attitude

In anticipation of an increase in domestic violence during the 2026 World Cup, the Local Government Association highlighted two key issues; the need for a change in attitude and the lack of funding:

“While the vast majority of those watching football games are not in any way involved in domestic abuse, data shows a spike in incidents during this time … The World Cup presents us with a vital opportunity to help teach younger people about healthy relationships and how to treat one another with respect as embodied in the ideal of sportsmanship.” (1)

and

“Focus is needed on funding for prevention and early intervention measures that aim to prevent domestic abuse happening in the first place, alongside wider community-based domestic abuse support services and accommodation-based support and refuges.” (1)

That need for attitudinal change is captured by a quote in the headline of a 2018 article for The Conversation (National Centre for Domestic Violence) magazine:

“If England gets beaten, so will she.”(2)

The article suggests various reasons why domestic abuse rises during major football tournament such as the Euros and the WorldCup:

• "Supporters approach each match with a strong cultural identity, so they internalise wins and losses.
• Matches often take place on weekends and on exceptionally warm days, which again are associated with increases of violence."

The article also highlighted the impact of football-themed marketing leading to increase alcohol sales.

 

Alcohol and abuse

The link between alcohol consumption and violence has been well established. According to Drink Aware, In 2023/24, victims of violent crime thought the perpetrator was intoxicated in almost 40% of cases. (11)

The same applies to post-match domestic abuse. As Tom Kirchmaier, director of the policing and crime research group at CEP, explained:

“We investigated why domestic abuse is likelier to occur in the aftermath of football games and found that the increase is entirely driven by male-on-female abuse by perpetrators who have drunk alcohol. The increase also only seen between partners living together – there was no similar rise in ex-partner domestic abuse.”(5)

We would also expect that there is the potential for female-on-male or male-on-male abuse too, given the popularity of football amongst women. The reality is that one third of all domestic abuse is against men. (10)

 

Alcohol not emotions

The CEP research noted that it was the “excessive alcohol consumption that usually follows these events” rather than the heightened emotions that triggered the rise in domestic abuse. It concluded that:

“Delaying the start of the games until the evening and scheduling them on weekdays would help prevent a considerable amount of domestic abuse.”

As experienced divorce lawyers, we know we can’t eradicate the link between football and excessive alcohol. However, the unusual start times for live matches could offset the impact, as those watching live may be doing so in the early hours of the morning. Those watching later on streaming services will likely already know the result.

 

Local level initiatives

In a bid to support those affected by domestic abuse during Euro 2020, pubs in Wakefield served up pints on special beermats that carried the message “Keep the beautiful game sweet.” A QR code on the mat linked to Wakefield Council’s domestic abuse support website.

As Maureen Cummings, Wakefield Council's cabinet member for communities, poverty, and health, said at the time:

"The rise in reports of domestic abuse during football tournaments is shocking - it is unacceptable and will never be tolerated … Domestic abuse isn't sweet and we want victims and perpetrators to get the support they need.”(6)

 

Is football just an excuse?

Charities are also concerned that the football may be used as an excuse for otherwise unacceptable behaviour. Farah Nazeer, chief executive of the organisation Women’s Aid, told The Big Issue magazine:

“There’s something in our culture that allows for people to say, ‘oh it was just the football, we had a bit too much to drink’. None of that is acceptable or tolerable. Alcohol consumption and high emotions attached to the game should never be used as an excuse for abuse.”(7)

Chief executive of Refuge, Ruth Davison, agreed:

“While of course football tournaments do not cause abuse – abuse is a choice a perpetrator makes – they can exacerbate pre-existing abusive behaviours. Abuse doesn’t come ‘by appointment’ – it happens all year round.”

 

Alcohol, football and the NHS

The link between football and alcohol has further implications too. When England played Sweden in the 2018 World Cup,

“Drunken celebrations ... led to a record number of people going to hospital with alcohol poisoning.”(8)

According to NHS England, on that single day there were 711 cases as opposed to the normal Saturday case numbers of 386.

 

Intimate partner violence (IPV) and the brain

In 2021, The Drake Foundation funded and launched the Drake IPV Study, in association with the University of Glasgow and the University of Edinburgh, to investigate the “lifelong consequences of physical abuse on the brain”. According to the Foundation:

“IPV (intimate partner violence) is common, with global estimates suggesting approximately 30% of women over age 15 years will have been exposed to physical or sexual IPV.” (9)

Now five years into its journey, the Study compares individuals with a history of IPV compared to “matched controls” with no such history in thee key areas:

• • Structural and functional brain imaging
  • Cognitive test results
  • To see if individuals with history of IPV are associated with TBI (traumatic brain injury) exposure.

The Drake IVP study is built on “A growing awareness of the association between brain injury and increased risk of neurodegenerative disease, including dementia.” It is perhaps ironic that the study is by The Drake Foundation, an organisation that has previously conducted studies into sports-related head injuries.

 

Suffering abuse? Act now

If you are in any immediate danger, always call 999 for police assistance.

If you are a victim of any form of domestic abuse, emotional abuse or coercive control, we can and will help. Please contact us at LGFL Ltd to arrange an urgent reduced fee initial one hour consultation.

• • Call us
  • Email us
  • Request your initial reduced fee consultation

 

About the author

Rita Gupta is Co-founder and Managing Director of family law firm LGFL Ltd, serving family law for clients in the Reading and Thames Valley area, across the UK and for international clients involved in UK divorce cases. She has featured as a family law expert on national TV and radio, including BBC Radio 5 Live with Nicky Campbell, LBC, GB News with Darren McCaffrey and local TV and radio.

• • Legal 500 Recommended Lawyer
  • Listed in Chambers and Partners
  • Listed Leading Lawyer at Wiselaw
  • Member of Resolution

 

 

 

REFERENCES:

(1) Local Government Association. (2026). Councils stand ready to support victims of domestic abuse during 2026 World Cup. https://www.local.gov.uk/about/news/councils-stand-ready-support-victims-domestic-abuse-during-2026-world-cup

(2) The Conversation. (2018). If England gets beaten, so will she: The link between World Cup and violence explained. https://theconversation.com/if-england-gets-beaten-so-will-she-the-link-between-world-cup-and-violence-explained-99769

(3) London School of Economics and Political Science. (n.d.). England football, alcohol and domestic violence. https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandpolicy/england-football-alcohol-domestic-violence/

(4) Kirby, S., Francis, B., & O’Flaherty, R. (2014). Can the FIFA World Cup football (soccer) tournament be associated with an increase in domestic abuse? Lancaster University. https://research.lancaster-university.uk/en/publications/can-the-fifa-world-cup-football-soccer-tournament-be-associated-w

(5) London School of Economics and Political Science. (2021). Alcohol, not emotions, responsible for domestic abuse rise after football matches. https://www.lse.ac.uk/News/Latest-news-from-LSE/2021/f-June-21/Alcohol-not-emotions-responsible-for-domestic-abuse-rise-after-football-matches

(6) BBC News. (2021). Leeds domestic abuse cases rise during Euro 2020. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-57440486

(7) The Big Issue. (2021). Euros 2020 may be catalyst for domestic abuse, charities warn. https://www.bigissue.com/latest/sport/euros-2020-may-be-catalyst-for-domestic-abuse-charities-warn/

(8) Evening Standard. (2018). England World Cup win over Sweden sparked record alcohol poisoning cases in UK hospitals. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/health/england-world-cup-win-over-sweden-sparked-record-alcohol-poisoning-cases-in-uk-hospitals-a4026961.html

(9) The Drake Foundation. (n.d.). The Drake IPV study. https://www.drakefoundation.org/the-drake-ipv-study/

(10) ManKind Initiative. (n.d.). Statistics on male victims of domestic abuse. https://www.mankind.org.uk/statistics/statistics-on-male-victims-of-domestic-abuse/

(11) Drinkaware. (2025). Alcohol consumption UK: Consequences. Drinkaware. https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/research/alcohol-facts-and-data/alcohol-consumption-uk-consequences#crime