The FA is looking at ways to challenge homophobic attitudes in football. A summit meeting in Soho Square, attended by politicians, campaigners and opinion formers, looked at ways in which football could tackle abuse and discrimination of gays and lesbians in football.
The FA was congratulated by Tony Banks, MP, for taking the initiative on this issue. "I think The FA should be commended by approaching homophobia in an adult and sophisticated way," said Mr. Banks. "What we need is to create a climate in which it is clear than homophobic abuse is offensive and unacceptable."
The summit also heard from Martin Perry, the Chairman of Brighton and Hove Albion. His club and its supporters are regularly subjected to homophobic abuse. "Amongst our supporters is a significant number from the gay community and we welcome them. For us there is not an issue but I believe we have to add homophobic chanting to the list of abuse that is unacceptable, such as racist chanting," said Mr Perry. "I believe in football there is a degree of denial over this issue."
This was a view supported by the Liberal Democrat MP, Evan Harris. "I would like to see The FA have a specific focus on gay and lesbian issues. I believe a clear policy, laid out in advance and supported by disciplinary sanctions, would be a powerful and effective tool."
Representatives from the Met Police’s Diversity Unit were also at the summit. Carl Wonfor added, "We need the legislation available. At the moment we’re trying to make things fit into archaic legislation. The FA is to be congratulated on bringing in disciplinary measures but the lack of legislation makes it difficult for the police to act, as we can and do in racist incidents."
Others at the summit included representatives from Stonewall, Kick it Out, The FA’s Board and Council as well as Angela Eagle, MP who said, "Because of this type of abuse we are losing a lot of talented girls and women who leave sport because their sexuality is questioned."
Ben Baks, from the Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport, applauded The FA for being the leading governing body in Europe when it comes to addressing these issues. "All stakeholders must take a position on homophobia and come up with collective measures. The FA is taking a lead and I hope the rest of football will follow."
Following the summit Lucy Faulkner, The FA’s Ethics and Sports Equity Manager, said there was a clear willingness to act on homophobia in football. "We have support from leading politicians and campaigning groups who all want The FA to develop its lead. We have already set out our position through our Ethics and Sports Equity Strategy, but perhaps we need to make our position clearer, look again at the terminology we are using and review our processes. We do speak out against homophobia and that will continue. Now we need to look at ways of bringing everyone in football together to ensure that the game really is open to all."
