'Disgusting' abuse must be acted on, warns Cambridge football coach
A stadium ban has since been handed out after a report was made
A girls football coach in Cambridgeshire has said abuse being aimed towards females within the game is "disgusting".
Georgia Mellors takes charge of the under 15 girls team at Cambridge City FC, but during her time in football, she has heard comments made by other coaches about females being involved.
It comes as a report of sexist abuse towards a female match official at Cambridge United's League Two match with Shrewsbury Town was made.
"Us as women, not that we should have to prove ourselves but we have done it more than enough times," Georgia said.
"For stuff like this to still be happening is not okay and we need to carry on cracking down on it."
Stadium ban
In a statement, Cambridge United said it's identified the individual who will be given a stadium ban.
"This behaviour is unacceptable and shows not only a lack of respect for match officials, but a broader disregard for our female players, staff and supporters," the statement added.
"The club is proud to champion equality, inclusion, and respect, ensuring the Cledara Abbey Stadium is a welcoming environment for all."
Last Tuesday's game at the Abbey Stadium was the first time that a football safety app - launched to allow fans to report abuse while at matches - was used.
Discrimination up but serious offences down
For last season, the FA found people involved in grassroots football were banned for an average of seven games for discrimination offences, with 78% of charges proven, up from the 2023-24 campaign.
In 2024-25, there were 161 charges relating to discrimination against gender, according to the FA, with 127 of them proven.
While for the same period, 1,702 serious offences against match officials were made, down on the previous season.
Our investigation found that in the two years prior to 2024, one case of any form of discrimination against a female player was reported to the Cambridgeshire FA.
Since the start of this season, the FA has introduced measures to tackle poor behaviour at grassroots level, such as bodycams on referees during matches.
'Fuel the fire'
Georgia has previously told us how she has used comments made by other coaches as a way of self-motivation, which she hopes others can do, too.
"I feel people seeing cases like this happen makes them think it's acceptable, so I think it's really important we are reporting these things and when they are reported, we're actively acting on it," Georgia added.
"When I went to watch an Arsenal game, it weren't necessarily sexist but you could see and hear their thought behind it, and it's important people are saying 'that's not okay'.
"You don't listen to the abuse that's being said, but you take it on board; you use it to fuel the fire within you, and show them whatever they've said is wrong."