The FA are committed to supporting anti-homophobia behaviour in football and 17 May is not only this season’s FA Cup Final but the worldwide International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO).

Football has already waged a positive war on racism in the game and The FA are now hoping that a similar campaign to ban homophobic abuse from grounds across the country will also make its mark.

The start of the 2007/08 season saw a change in football ground regulations with homophobic abuse now deemed punishable and The FA have been supporting this breakthrough further by providing Liaison Officers who can advise and educate clubs on homophobia in the game.

Volunteers for the project have come from the Gay Football Supporters Network who are supporting Leftfooters FC in hosting the International Gay and Lesbian FA World Championship, with support from The Football Association, in London later this summer.

The World Cup will see teams from around the UK and across the globe take part with Leyton Orient’s Matchroom Stadium confirmed as World Cup Final hosts in late August.

Soho Square fully supports the IDAHO initiative and The FA’s Equality Manager, Lucy Faulkner, commented: “Tackling racism has always been a critical part of our work but we also recognise that football has a duty to challenge all discrimination within the game.


“One of our key messages is football for all and our aim is to confront aggressive issues such as homophobia and making the game family friendly,” said Lucy.

Steve Powell of the Football Supporters Federation added: “Football has to be open to everyone irrespective of sexuality, race, colour and religion.

“We all love banter at football but this kind of abuse is laughing at people rather than with them. We’ve got to the stage with racism where fans are beginning to police incidents themselves and confronting those who are shouting abuse. It would be great to get to that level with homophobic chanting.”