No Excuse for Abuse: PCC’s message as World Cup begins
11.06.26 - Merseyside
The 2026 Football World Cup kicks off today.
Major sporting events can bring excitement, pride and a strong sense of community across our city. However, for some people, home can become an unsafe place, as domestic abuse escalates behind closed doors.
Domestic abuse is never acceptable and is not caused by football. However, during high-profile tournaments, factors such as increased alcohol consumption, emotional highs and lows, financial pressures, and gambling can heighten the risk of harm for some people.
There is no excuse for domestic abuse, responsibility lies solely with the person who commits it.
If you are experiencing domestic abuse, or are unsure about your situation, please know you are not alone. There is help and support available, talk to someone you trust, report your concerns to the police or a contact a local domestic abuse service when you feel able.
Merseyside’s Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell said: “Major events like the World Cup should be a time when communities come together to celebrate, but we also know that for some, this period can bring increased risk behind closed doors.
“Let me be absolutely clear – domestic abuse is never acceptable, and there is no excuse for it. Not football. Not alcohol. Not any circumstances.
“Everyone deserves to feel safe in their own home and in their relationships and there is never any excuse for abuse.
“My commitment is unwavering: we will continue to work alongside partners to prevent abuse, support victims and survivors, and hold perpetrators to account.
“Earlier this year I announced an investment of more than £4m to fund our vital domestic abuse support services across the region – with more funding than ever before being allocated directly to independent specialist organisations, so that victims in every part of Merseyside can access support they need, when they need it.
If you are experiencing abuse, please know you are not alone. There is help available, and we will stand with you. And to anyone who is causing harm – the responsibility lies with you, and we will not tolerate it in our communities.”
Get support
If you are experiencing domestic abuse, or are unsure about your situation, please know you are not alone.
You can report to the police by calling 101 or online by visiting the following link:
Report domestic abuse | Merseyside Police
You can also report non-urgent matters by direct messaging the Merseyside Police Contact Centre social media channels:
- Facebook: Merseyside Police Contact Centre
- X (Twitter): @MerPolCC
- Instagram: Merseyside Police Contact Centre
In an emergency you should always call 999.
Find out about Protective Orders or how to request information under Clare’s Law:
Protective orders | Merseyside Police
You can also find help and support and talk to someone you trust, by contacting our local domestic abuse services when you feel able.
Find domestic abuse services in your area commissioned by the PCC on the Victim Care Merseyside website at Domestic Abuse Support Services: Victim Care Merseyside
