Fan Abuse, Liability & "All Reasonable Steps": How Sports Clubs Must Prepare for the ERA 2025
Recent reports of racist abuse directed at players during Premier League and Six Nations fixtures,[1] along with a huge increase in online abuse,[2] highlight why impending changes to harassment laws under the Employment Rights Act 2025 (ERA 2025) will place significant obligations on clubs, event operators, and other sports organisations.
From October 2026, sports organisations will be liable for the acts of harassment towards their employees (in the course of their employment) by fans, customers and other third parties, unless they can show that all reasonable steps were taken to prevent it.
This article explores what the changes mean for sports organisations and provides practical guidance on:
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- Tags: Abuse | EFL | Employment Rights Act 2025 | Football | Harassment | Premier League | Regulation | The Equality Act 2010 | United Kingdom (UK)
Written by
Charlotte Smith
Charlotte is a Partner in the employment team at Walker Morris. She acts for a number of Premier League and Football League clubs and agents. She advises on all aspects of the employment relationship and regularly acts for clubs in respect of employment litigation, including player and manager related disputes and arbitration proceedings, along with employment tribunal claims. Clients value Charlotte's in depth-understanding of their businesses and her ability to 'balance the commercial and legal requirements' when providing advice (Legal 500).
Hugo Adams
Hugo is an Associate in Walker Morris' Employment team. He has significant experience in M&A transactions, on both buyside and sell side. Hugo also has experience in the sports sector, with drafting contracts for managers and senior executives of football clubs, as well as representing employers in the Employment Tribunal and providing day-to-day employment advice.
