The Football Association has welcomed today’s news that all 20 Premier League clubs have signed up to the Charter for Action against Homophobia.
The FA were one of the first signatories when the Government’s Charter for Action first launched in March 2011 and The FA’s Head of Equality, Sue Law, commented: “It’s fantastic to see the football family united in taking a zero tolerance approach against homophobia and kicking discrimination out of our game.
“We’re committed to football for all and the Charter for Action is a real statement in carving out a welcoming environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in our sport.”
Sue Law also confirmed that The FA would launch their own action plan around anti-Homophobia in football, titled Opening Doors and Joining In, with a special event at Wembley Stadium on 20 February.
The Charter for Action has four points:
- We believe that everyone should be able to participate in and enjoy sport – whoever they are and whatever their background
- We believe that sport is about fairness and equality, respect and dignity. Sport teaches individuals how to strive and succeed, how to cope with success and disappointment, and brings people together with a common goal
- We are committed to making these values a reality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. We will work together, and individually, to rid sport of homophobia and transphobia
- We will make sport a welcome place for everyone – for those participating in sport, those attending sporting events and for those working or volunteering in sports at any level. We will work with all these groups to ensure they have a voice, and to challenge unacceptable behaviour.
