The FA’s commitment to ridding football - and sport in general - of homophobia, has been emphasised during a debate at Manchester Pride 2005.
At the annual ten-day festival celebrating the area’s diverse and colourful lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender culture, Lucy Faulkner, The FA’s Ethics and Sports Equity Manager, said that the event is once again seen as a really positive step forward.
“Homophobia has no place in football or sport in general,” she said. “We are very committed at The FA to ensuring that football really is accessible to all members of the community.
“Our opposition to homophobia has been clearly set out, and – along with race and disability discrimination – it is punishable with sanctions which include abusive players being banned from the game.”
Another of the speakers, Peter Clayton, Chief Executive of the Middlesex County FA, outlined some of the areas in which The FA has made progress in recent years.
“The FA has done a great deal of good work in the area of child protection, racial equality, disability and women’s and girls’ football,” he said.
“It is satisfying to see it is now tackling one of the other – possibly less high profile – areas of prejudice, that being homophobia.”
Peter was also delighted, through his connections with Stonewall FC, to see his club win the men’s five-a-side tournament, beating Yorkshire Terriers 4-3 in a thrilling final.
Paul Finney, Stonewall’s manager for the competition, says that it was testament to Stonewall’s fitness that they took the major honour: “We were the only team without a substitute, and after the group stages we were obviously very tired.
“The final was really hard work after playing 105 minutes of five-a-side football with no subs we were absolutely exhausted.”
“The atmosphere all day was great with all the teams mingling and having a laugh – and a super sense of camaraderie.”
The women’s tournament was eventually decided by penalties, with Leamington Hens overcoming Vanilla 11-10 after a marathon shoot-out.
Colin Moore, Manchester FA’s Social Inclusion Projects Officer, says that the event was a major success: “Feedback from the teams was very positive, and they are already looking forward to a similar event next year.
“From a Manchester FA point of view it all went fantastically, and we will be using the success to plan an even bigger and better competition next time.”
To report instances of abuse, discrimination and racism, you can always call The FA’s Freephone 0800 085 0508, or email FootballForAll@TheFA.com
