Football fans will be able to report antisemitic incidents and discrimination using a new smartphone app launched by anti-racism group Kick It Out.

Devised with the help of Maccabi GB and the Community Security Trust, the app will allow fans to anonymously report attacks and offensive chants directly to Kick It Out, the Football Association, and to clubs.

Fans will also be issued with advice on reporting abusive messages posted on social networking sites such as Twitter, following a sharp rise in online cases in the past year.

The app – which will be available free to iPhone and Android users in time for the new football season - follows a survey of more than 5,400 people which found that 31 per cent of fans had witnessed racism at matches.

Kick It Out director Roisin Wood said: “The majority of football fans have told Kick It Out they want action to get rid of discrimination at all levels of the game.

"These new reporting tools will allow fans to help clubs and the relevant authorities target instances of discriminatory behaviour more consistently while maintaining healthy and vocal rivalries.”

Kick It Out will also work with the Professional Footballers’ Association to develop the app for use by players, allowing them to report discrimination suffered during matches.

CST launched a similar app for reporting antisemitic attacks in 2011.