With just shy of 50 percent of all professional clubs now committed to the Football v Homophobia month of action, Saturday 22nd February is shaping up to be the campaign’s ‘Super Saturday’.
This year, there’s strong support from the Premier League, including from Manchester City. “Manchester City Football Club is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, diversity and respect across all its activities,” said Nic Scott, Head of Safeguarding at the club. “We’re helping raise awareness for the Football vs Homophobia campaign with tannoy announcements on match days, inclusion in our match day programme and our players will show support by wearing the FvH t-shirts.” Captain Vincent Kompany added his support. “We’re proud to be supporting the Football v Homophobia campaign. We hope that it sends out a message that there is no place for discrimination in football, nor in any sport.”
Also this weekend, Chelsea will be hosting their first ever ‘Game for Equality’, showcasing the club’s partnership with Football v Homophobia and Kick It Out. Players will warm up in special t-shirts featuring the logos of both campaigns, the Premier League, and the Football League, and the club will also present a new anti-discrimination film featuring players and staff. A spokesperson from the club said, “Our club and our communities should be open to all regardless of race, religion, gender or sexuality. We welcome the Football v Homophobia campaign and will continue working with the organisation as part of our own building bridges equality initiative.”
Arsenal is participating for the third year in a row, with their ‘Arsenal for Everyone’ match this Saturday, featuring the rainbow flag on display and special information for supporters about the club’s commitment to tackle homophobia. Arsenal’s Chief Executive, Ivan Gazidis, said, “Football has the power to bring people together in a unique way and we believe there should be no barriers to feeling a sense of belonging to Arsenal Football Club.” West Brom complete the Premier League contingent with a range of actions at their game against Fulham.
Several clubs from the Football League are also in action for the campaign this weekend. York City and AFC Wimbledon have their players warming up in the t-shirts whilst Exeter and Scunthorpe have invited their local LGBT teams and communities to get involved on match day. Bradford, Oldham, Colchester United, Mansfield Town and Burton Albion are also partnering with the campaign this weekend.
The Football v Homophobia campaign is in its fourth year, and this is the second annual month-long call to action for professional clubs to get involved. So far, an impressive 44 clubs have either already taken visible anti-homophobia action at their club, or have committed to do so this February or beyond.
Lou Englefield from the campaign is pleased with the uptake. “Football v Homophobia is the biggest campaign tackling homophobia in football, and we are confident that by the end of the month, over 50% of professional clubs will be on board. This is a real increase on last year’s 30%, and we hope that next year, this number will rise again.” Englefield added, “We have also seen more clubs feeling confident to take their involvement to the next level this season, with several like Manchester City making a really clear, visible and strong statement that homophobia is not acceptable at their club. This is a great step forward and we intend to build on this over the coming years.”