What really happens when football comes home? A look at all forms of domestic abuse, including financial abuse and coercive control
Last updated: July 2026 | Jurisdiction: England & Wales | Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
With the 2026 World Cup drawing to a close shortly, many will be looking forward to England progressing to their first World Cup final since 1966. Yet there is an ugly side to the beautiful game that cannot be overlooked. With every game that England plays, instances of domestic abuse are expected to surge, warns the Crown Prosecution Service.
The link between domestic abuse and football
During Euro 2024, all 43 police forces across England and Wales collectively recorded 351 domestic abuse incidents identified as football-related between 14 June and 14 July 2024, an 82% rise on the 193 incidents recorded during the equivalent period of the 2021 Euros. The National Police Chiefs' Council was clear that these figures almost certainly understate the true scale, since many victims do not disclose the football link to officers and some officers do not record it. Separate research from Warwick Business School, using ten years of crime data from West Midlands Police, found that reported cases of alcohol-related domestic abuse rose by 47% on the day of an England win at a major tournament, and remained 18% higher than average the following day.
Why does football trigger an increase?
The Crown Prosecution Service has been clear that football does not cause domestic abuse. Rather, factors linked to major tournaments, such as increased alcohol consumption and heightened emotions, can make an already difficult home situation worse for those living with an abusive partner.
Financial abuse: the hidden side of domestic abuse
But abuse takes many forms: physical, emotional, psychological and financial and economic, to name a few. The latter form of domestic abuse, financial and economic abuse, is less commonly understood and can be harder to identify. Despite being less well understood, financial abuse is increasingly being identified as an issue for many families. According to the charity Surviving Economic Abuse, 4.1 million UK women, roughly one in seven, experienced at least one form of economic abuse from a current or former partner in the past 12 months. Of those women, nearly a quarter, equivalent to around 940,000 women, said the abuse itself prevented them from leaving the relationship.
Financial abuse involves the use or misuse of money by the perpetrator which limits and controls their partner’s current and future actions and their freedom of choice. It can include restricting their partner’s ability to work and earn an income, using credit cards without permission, putting contractual obligations in their partner’s name, and gambling with family assets.
The lasting impact of financial abuse
The result of financial abuse can be that survivors are left with no money for essentials, no access to their own bank accounts, no independent income and with debts that have been built up by their abusive partner in their own name. Even when survivors leave their partner, financial abuse can continue, particularly in cases where there is an ongoing need for child and or spousal support over and above that calculated by the Child Maintenance Service. Economic abuse includes a wider pool of behaviour that is designed to create economic instability to limit survivors' choices and ultimately their access to safety and can be part of a pattern of cohesive control.
Recognising the signs, on the pitch and off it
As with many forms of abuse, this pattern of behaviour can start with small, seemingly insignificant actions, borrowing small amounts of money for example and not repaying it, that grow incrementally into behaviour that slowly but surely reduces the other party’s freedom, independence and safety. Financial abuse can happen to anyone, from the extremely wealthy to those living in poverty, as the driving force is not money but control. Understanding financial abuse and the associated patterns of behaviour can help to identify it, whether in your own relationship or those of your friends or loved ones.
Getting help to deal with domestic abuse
Clearly, this behaviour will have a profound effect on any family or individual and may lead to a relationship breaking down with all the implications that may have. Whether you are married or not, there may be steps a solicitor can take to assist you in removing you or your children from this situation and guiding you through the next steps following a separation.
If you need to discuss this issue further in confidence or need more information on leaving an abusive relationship, or if you know someone who may be experiencing any form of abuse, click here or contact one of us here.
Frequently asked questions about domestic abuse
Is domestic abuse only physical violence?
No. Domestic abuse includes physical, emotional, psychological, sexual, and financial or economic abuse, and a pattern of coercive and controlling behaviour can be just as serious as physical violence.
What should I do if I'm worried that a friend or family member is at risk during a football tournament?
Trust your instincts if something feels wrong, and let them know you're available to talk without judgement. You don't need to have all the answers; simply staying in touch and signposting them to confidential support can make a real difference.
Can financial abuse be taken into account in a divorce settlement?
In most cases, the court will look at the parties' needs and the fair division of assets rather than treating financial abuse as a standalone factor, though conduct can occasionally be relevant where it has had a direct financial consequence. It's worth discussing your specific circumstances with a solicitor, as this is an area where the right advice can make a significant difference.
Do I need to have left my partner before I speak to a solicitor?
No, you don't need to have left, or even have decided to leave, before getting advice. Speaking to a solicitor early can help you understand your options and plan safely, whatever stage you're at.
