Monitoring group says racist abuse rises in English soccer

LONDON (AP) — English soccer's anti-racism organization says reports of discriminatory abuse have risen for the sixth straight year.

The report from Kick It Out shows reports of abuse rose 11 percent last season to 520.

Racist abuse accounted for more than half of the cases — 273 — with 110 coming in the professional game in England. Cases of anti-gay abuse climbed 9 percent to 111.

Kick It Out chairman Lord Ouseley says "while the increased reports reflect a greater inclination among fans to complain about unacceptable abuse, these trends reflect, in part, what is happening in the rest of society."

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