Sporting figures support FA message

Watch the video on the player on the right (warning this video contains strong language and adult themes)

The FA's long term equality strategy to battle homophobic abuse in football has received a series of high profile endorsements from the likes of Sir Elton John and Brighton & Hove Albion manager, Gus Poyet.

The call for work in this area was originally raised by supporters of Brighton who contacted The FA via the Football Supporters Federation in 2006 after reports of homophobic abuse from rival fans.

Support for the campaign has also come from Ireland's first openly gay hurler, Donal Óg Cusack, who is a three-time title winner with Cork and Frances Barron, the CEO of the Rugby Football Union.

The FA has already confirmed that they plan to use the film as a training and education tool for matchday stewards in stadiums around the country.

FA chairman, Lord Triesman: “Both The FA and Kick It Out are committed to challenging all forms of discrimination in football and making the game family friendly and it’s our hope that everyone involved across all levels of the game will give the film’s anti homophobia message their full support.”

Sir Elton John: “I fully support the initiative and hope people realise that homophobic abuse at matches should not be tolerated.”

Brighton and Hove Albion manager, Gus Poyet: “There is no place for abusive behaviour of any kind in football and it is totally unacceptable. The game is there to be enjoyed by everyone, from all walks of life, regardless of age, race, background or sexual orientation.”

PFA Chief Executive, Gordon Taylor: “The PFA is proud of its work in the field of anti-racism. The English game is a beacon of diversity and it is unacceptable for the players involved to be subjected to abusive chanting be it racist or homophobic whilst they play. I applaud the ongoing work in this arena.”

Kick It Out founder and Chair, Lord Herman Ouseley: “We believe the film is a decisive step in the long battle to tackle homophobic attitudes, abuse and harassment.”

Support for the campaign has also come from other sports with Irish hurler, Donal Óg Cusack, who came out as gay last year, applauding both The FA and Kick It Out for their work in tackling homophobia: "The FA is showing excellent leadership in this. When I came out to a team which was at the top of its game the reaction could be summed up in two words. 'Yeah? So?'

"Anything less than that response dishonours and disfigures any sport we play or are associated with and that's why this film and campaign is so important.

Chief Executive of England’s Rugby Football Union, Francis Barron, is also backing the initiative: “We welcome any scheme that seeks to remove discrimination from sport and which enhances the experience of gay or lesbian participants playing or watching sport.”

The anti-Homophobia in football film which has been produced by both The FA and Kick It Out can now be viewed on TheFA.com's You Tube channel.