Fan Abuse, Liability and ‘All Reasonable Steps’: How Sports Clubs Must Prepare for the ERA 2025.

Recent incidents of racist abuse directed at players during Premier League and Six Nations fixtures along with a huge increase in online abuse highlight why impending changes to harassment laws under the Employment Rights Act 2025 will place significant obligations on clubs, event operators, and other sports organisations.

From October 2026, sports organisations will be liable for 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.