The English Defence League (EDL) is a far-right[6][7][8][9][10] street protest movement which focuses on opposition to what it considers to be a spread of Islamism and Sharia in the United Kingdom.[11][12][13][14][15][16] The EDL has been described as Islamophobic,[8][17] and was until 2013 "the most significant counter-jihad movement in Europe" and considered by some academics to be "one of the more intriguing developments on the far right".[18] The group has faced confrontations with various groups, including Unite Against Fascism (UAF).[19] In October 2013 the group's co-founders, Tommy Robinson and Kevin Carroll, left the group, with Robinson citing concerns over the "dangers of far-right extremism".[20] He was replaced as leader by Tim Ablitt.[21]