The vast majority of women working within football have experienced discrimination – but a similar number believe opportunities will continue to improve, according to new research.

Findings from Women in Football (WIF), in their biggest survey to date, reveal that 89% of women working in the sport have suffered discrimination at work.

However, 85% of female respondents and 91% of male respondents believe opportunities for women in the football industry will get better.

The topic was thrust into global consciousness after the 2023 Women's World Cup final, with former Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) president Luis Rubiales to stand trial for sexual assault next year following his unsolicited kiss of Jenni Hermoso.

Despite the public outcry following that incident, the survey also suggests that women reporting discrimination in football are often still not taken seriously.

More than 60% of those who reported an incident said no action was taken as a result and, among those, 16% say they were not even listened to.

Joey Barton has gained headlines for his outspoken views on female pundits and online hate is perceived to be on the rise by survey participants, with 44% saying they have witnessed an increase in discriminatory social media posts and 18% being directly subjected to more such abuse.

Further revelations include the fact that 88% of women working in football believe women have to work harder than men to achieve the same recognition and benefits – and 74% of men agree with them.

The 88% figure for women is unchanged since last year, but only 65% of men agreed in 2023 – suggesting that while progress towards gender equality in football remains slow, the industry's male workforce is at least becoming more aware of the barriers faced by their female colleagues.

Women in Football CEO Yvonne Harrison said: "Everyone knows that gender discrimination happens in football, but the problem isn't just that it happens – there's an even bigger problem around how football deals with it.

“When gender discrimination happens, many women don't feel they can report it, and when they do report it, too often no action is taken. Women deserve better.

"We know there is willingness in the football industry to work for gender equality and we appreciate the contribution of our male allies in achieving it. For real progress to be achieved at this point, the message of our survey is clear: listen to women, and act on what they tell you."

Women in Football director Lungi Macebo added: "Racism, sexism and all forms of discrimination usually do not exist in isolation.

“The ongoing fight for gender equality in football is inseparable from the wider battle for a fairer society, and the results of the Women in Football survey show that organisations need to approach equality, diversity and inclusion in an intersectional way. There needs to be an intentional effort to ensuring equity in all aspects of our game."

More than 1,100 people responded to the survey during May 2024, the largest yet undertaken by Women in Football – the professional network of more than 9,000 members of all genders working in and around the football industry who support gender equality in the game.