Cambridge United player hopes FA measures 'step in right direction' to tackling discrimination
It comes nearly two years since our investigation into the issue locally
Last updated 6 hours ago
Almost two years since our investigation into discrimination against female footballers in Cambridgeshire, one player who has faced this says tougher measures are a step in the right direction.
Anyone found guilty of discriminatory behaviour will now face at least a 10-game ban under new FA rules.
The change is a step up from the six to 12-match suspensions recommended to independent regulatory commissions for what the FA described as any "aggravated breaches by players, managers, or technical area occupants."
The FA said this includes an express or implied reference to any one or more of the following characteristics: ethnic origin, colour, race, nationality, religion or belief, sex, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, or disability.
"I think that is a start; it definitely needed harsher sanctions and I think it needs to be followed through," Lauren Webb, goalkeeper at Cambridge United Women, said.
"That will be interesting to see if that happens if a situation does arise, then that person can be held accountable and the sanction can be put in place."
Abuse happening 'in the background'
The FA said the change in approach was needed to "tackle this abhorrent conduct, and our updated sanction guidelines will now require regulatory commissions to impose a standard suspension of at least 10 matches in these circumstances."
English football's governing body said a suspension more than 10 games can be enforced if "significant aggravating factors are present".
In the two years up to 2024, we found just one case of any form of discrimination against a female player had been reported to the Cambridgeshire FA (CFA).
Last season, the CFA said they were aware of 37 cases of discrimination.
Lauren spoke to us as part of our investigation, having been subjected to homophobic and sexist comments in person and online, including from young children.
She hopes the latest FA move will deter people from thinking about being discriminatory towards female footballers, but thinks other measures could also help this.
"I think having procedures in place for young female players; for example in the men's (game), there's someone who can call it out and you can report it (to them)," Lauren said.
"As the game gets bigger, I think there's more facility for that.
"I don't think it's (support team) as obvious lower down the pyramid, however, I feel it's more in the background this sort of abuse happens, so it's making sure we are able to follow procedures."
Education first approach
At the time of our investigation, Jo Knox - chief executive at the CFA - said there's "probably more cases of discrimination" that have not been reported.
After an analysis of all discrimination cases at the end of the 2025-26 season, the CFA found 3% of all reports made that campaign were sex-based.
"While we recognise that every incident of discrimination is significant, this analysis helps us understand the nature and scale of the issues being reported and where further work and education may be needed," the CFA said.
"Reporting incidents allows us to investigate concerns appropriately and helps us to identify wider trends and areas where additional intervention may be needed."
The FA said any further aggravated breaches by individual participants "will be treated with the utmost seriousness and the sanction for such offences will be greater than the sanction for their first or previous offence."
The CFA said this season, it's developing a resources library on its website to give clubs and individuals more education and guidance around discrimination.
It's also working with anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out to try and reduce the issue in Cambridgeshire.
"We will be working to provide education for our board members and staff and our clubs, ensuring that tackling discrimination is embedded from the top of Cambridgeshire FA and that the message is consistently reinforced throughout the football community," the CFA added.