In the UK, every time England loses a match domestic abuse rates increase by around 38%- according to the National Centre for Domestic Violence.
In other words, some grown men kicking a leather bound sphere makes other grown men decide to go and hurt the women in their homes.
Although this is a dark take on a seemingly harmless sport, it showcases the obsession people have with it.
So, what makes football so enticing and why is it so popular?
At surface level, it’s understandable.
The game provides thrill and excitement, predicting and commenting on players' moves serves as entertainment for all.
Whether you see it up close or from your television screen, it's accessible for everyone.
It also acts as an escape- when you're watching the game, nothing else matters.
All of your worries fade away and you’re transported to an alternate realm where all you can think about is your team.
Supporting a team unites people like nothing else.
Blood fades away and everyone wearing the same jersey feels like family.
It’s especially become a way for people to express their identity pride through support for their teams- showcasing the pride they take in their nation.
So where does this escalate to domestic violence?
That blame cannot be put on the sport itself, but an abuse of the spectating activity.
Heavy drinking and a bit too much association of winning with national pride causes some to take the game too seriously; and helpless women pay the price.
This is a complex problem that doesn’t have one such solution, but stricter control on alcohol and other substances could be a start.
Although consumption of alcohol inside stadiums has been banned since 1985 to curb hooliganism, pub crawls before matches are frequent, resulting in many people entering matches already drunk.
It is understandable that this is part of English culture, but perhaps slightly stricter drinking rules will control violent behaviour both at the stadiums and at home.
Football is a great sport that brings joy and unity to many, but anything excessive can become dangerous.
Domestic abuse is a widespread problem and by no means is football the root cause, but by spreading awareness of how it impacts some lives, we can achieve change and ultimately a safer life for thousands of women.