Hello from BOB new communications volunteer for Just a Ball Game?

HELLO FROM BOB.


Greetings Just a Ball Game? followers. My name is Bob Woods and I have just joined JBG? to help with the communications, twitter, facebook and blogs etc. So in my first week I am pitched into the fray head first with two outings with Lindsay England into a world of football I had really lost touch with,

On Tuesday, 18t September 2012, JBG? had been invited to AFC Rushden & Diamonds. They were wanting to sign the Sports Charter for Action on Homophobia and Transphobia, and to unveil the JBG? banner behind the home goal. The Chair , Ralph Burditt, wanted to show the clubs continued commitment to diversity and respect, and launch its own "Think before You Chant" initiative.

 

Rushden & Diamonds have been through some difficult financial times but also experienced personal tragedy with the untimely death of their Goalkeeper Dale Roberts. Meeting the lovely people at the club from board members and all those volunteers which keep a non-league club going, I was overwhelmed by their sincerity, friendliness, and willingness to embrace the message of Just A Ball Game to respect Diversity and challenge Homophobia.

 

Dale's Bar, transformed from a porta cabin by volunteers, showed that this club has a huge heart!

And the penalty shoot out between Castor the cat and Dazzler was hilarious!
The photos of the night show the genuine enthusiasm we experienced, I was left wondering "why can't all clubs be like this?" . Given time and resources, maybe they can! And if clubs like AFC Rushden & Diamonds from the United Counties League can do it....so can the Premiership and Football League!

 

But that was not the end of my week, On Wednesday, !9th September I accompanied Lindsay to Walsall for the Euro Women's Qualifier England against Croatia. Although we experienced a few problems mainly one part of the FA not knowing what the other part had agreed to ( the hanging of the JBG? banner flag beside the goal) it was an insight into why we need to concentrate on the grass roots to change the culture from the bottom up. I was impressed by the numbers of parents and teachers who came up to our stall, and especially a conversation I had with group of teen girls , all keen football players, about homophobic chants and slurs, I was surprised by their understanding and experiences, It made me realise we cant wait for the "Blazers" in the Board Rooms to change the culture on the terraces and on the pitch, its the next generation , their teachers and parents who are going to challenge the old attitudes and make football a safe place for LGBT players and supporters.

Wednesday also saw the publication of the report from the Culture and Media Committee. This report identified homophobia as a major and growing issue. A cursory glance at the websites of the FA, Premiership, and Premiership clubs shows huge gaps between those clubs who have taken a lead ( e,g going to local LGBT Pride events, holding diversity training for their staff etc) and the majority who appear to have done very little beyond signing the Charter against Homophobia and Transphobia in Sport. I will be looking into what clubs have on their websites and also what they have publicised in their local newspapers and media and report back to name and shame the slackers and congratulate and share the best practise!

You can follow me on twitter @dinglebaggiegay ( so called because I support West Bromwich and my boyfriend supports Wolves!) and I will be posting regularly on the Just a Ball Game? blog, Twitter and Facebook page. I am really pleased to be part of JBG? and I hope you enjoy my ramblings!

Bob.

NO TO HOMOPHOBIA AT THE DOG AND DUCK STADIUM

          

                     Just a Ball Game? – MEDIA RELEASE
                                   Down at the old ‘Dog and Duck Stadium.'

                                                

AFC Rushden and Diamonds join the campaign against Homophobia in Football.

On Tuesday, !8^th September 2012, we were guests of AFC Rushden & Diamonds of the Chromosport United Counties League as they announced their support of Just a Ball Game? by unveiling our latest  pitch side ad board.

Chairman Ralph Burditt said

“I am delighted that we have the opportunity to support Just a Ball Game? Discrimination of any kind has no place in football and I hope that the presence of the new advertising boards at the ground and the advertisements in the programme will serve as a gentle reminder to both home and away supporters that it will not be tolerated. I am particularly pleased that we are becoming only the second club in the UK to display a permanent advert for the Just a Ball Game? campaign. The news story regarding Hyde FC’s support for the campaign was what originally lead me to contact Lindsay England  from JBG?, and I would like to think that this story will similarly inspire another football club. It’s time that we all started speaking out against the institutionalised homophobia in football, much as people began to speak out about racism all those years ago”.

AFC Rushden & Diamonds have already launched a “Think Before You Chant” Campaign which encourages fans to use imagination and wit instead of homophobic, racist or sexist language on the terraces.

Just a Ball Game? hope to see other football clubs adopting this dual strategy, It is one thing to have a clause against discriminatory behaviour in your ground rules, but AFC Rushden and Diamonds show what clubs can do pro-actively to support the Respect campaign. They have put real action behind their signing of The Charter for Action, Tackling Homophobia and Transphobia in Sport.

JBG? would like to thank all Ralph, John and all @AFCRD for making us so welcome and showing what can be done to promote diversity and challenge homophobia in football.

---

Contact for further information:

Founding Director -Lindsay England

info.justaballgame@yahoo.com 

                ©

AFC RUSHDEN AND DIAMONDS TEAM UP WITH JUST A BALL GAME?

Sep16                                  FROM AFC RUSHDEN & DIAMONDS WEBSITE.

Think before you chant campaign

AFC Rushden & Diamonds Think before you chant!

AFC Rushden & Diamonds are launching a “think before you chant” campaign at next week’s United Counties League Cup match against Wellingborough Whitworth on Tuesday 18^th September
The Diamonds have teamed up with two national campaigns “Just A Ball Game?” and “Kick It Out which tackles homophobia and racism respectively within football.
Supporting the club in this initiative is local company Creation Signs who have generously donated a pitchside board for each of the campaigns and are sponsoring the match on Tuesday.
Just A Ball Game
Lindsay England, Founding Director of Just A Ball Game? which is a campaign group which challenges issues with homophobia and anti-gay prejudice and helps raise awareness around the inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender, stated:
“We are delighted to have this welcome support from AFC Rushden & Diamonds and are very much looking forward to being part of the club’s respect programme of events this month, and the steps the club are taking to tackle issues around homophobia which sadly still exist in the game at all levels.”
Kick it Out – RESPECT
The anti-racism campaign is well known throughout the football world and is designed to  challenge discrimination and encourage inclusive practices and work for positive change.
Think before you chant
Chairman Ralph Burditt felt the two campaigns should be brought under the one umbrella and the club have had a number of signs manufactured to ask fans to think about what they are saying/chanting.
I am delighted that we have the opportunity to support Just a Ball Game?, Kick It Out and the RESPECT campaign. Discrimination of any kind has no place in football and I hope that the presence of the new advertising boards at the ground and the advertisements in the programme will serve as a gentle reminder to both home and away supporters that it will not be tolerated. I am particularly pleased that we are becoming only the second club in the UK to display a permanent advert for the Just a Ball Game? campaign. The news story regarding Hyde FC’s support for the campaign was what originally lead me to contact Lindsay from JBG?, and I would like to think that this story will similarly inspire another football club. It’s time that we all started speaking out against the institutionalised homophobia in football, much as people began to speak out about racism all those years ago.

FROM HYDE FC OFFICIAL WEBSITE.

Hyde continue links with anti-homophobia organisation

By Tom | Published: Tuesday 21st August 2012

 

 

Hyde FC have become the first club in the world to permanently display a Just A Ball Game? pro-diversity and anti-homophobia banner inside their ground.

The club, who became affiliated with Just A Ball Game? last season, are sticking to their commitments to the challenging issues lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender players and fans of the beautiful game face as part of a matchday experience.
Just A Ball Game? remain one of the very few European groups who aim to challenge discrimination in the game.
The organisation was set up by founding director Lindsay England who has spent 8 years trying to eradicate the abuse and prejudice that remains within football, and believes the action taken by Hyde FC is a huge step forward:

We are grateful for the ongoing support one of the smaller semi-professional clubs in Hyde FC are taking and hope that this initiative will be picked up by other British clubs.
Displaying an anti-homophobia banner pitch side on a permanent basis helps to send out the message of zero tolerance towards eradicating people’s discriminatory attitudes, and also helps to show there is a welcoming environment for those who identify as LGBT and wish to be part of a “football family” who might otherwise be fearful and turn away from the sport.

                     CASTRO and TORCH  SUIT for PARADE        MEDIA RELEASE:

                                            

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Just a Ball Game? – MEDIA RELEASE

                                          MANCHESTER PRIDE PARADE NEWS.

Gay civil partner of Trevor Burchick MBE will be "honouring" the Olympic Torch & Just a Ball Game? at Manchester Pride's Parade. Trevor was nominated from the LGBT community to carry the torch in Manchester and was "creator"  of Pride Games. Partner Mike was last year (Manchester Pride's) Parade Queen. Mike is the Welfare Officer at Northern Wave's Swimming Club. The "Mike Torch Kit" will symbolise the work on challenging homophobia by Just a Ball Game?

Mike, will be wearing the distinctive white and golden Olympic Torch Team Kit and accompany "Castro" the mascot of Just a Ball Game? in Manchester Pride Parade (Sat, August 25th). This year’s parade theme is queer’d science and “Castro Cat” identifies only as a name with no specific sexuality or gender.

---

Contact for further information:

Founding Director -Lindsay England

info.justaballgame@yahoo.com

             

Just  A Ball Game?      MEDIA RELEASE   AUG: 2012

info.justaballgame@yahoo.com

 MEDIA RELEASE AUG: 2012.                  

            Hyde FC continue to tackle Homophobia in football.

Shortly after being crowned Blue Square North Champions and gaining promotion to the Blue Square Premiership for the first time in the clubs history, Hyde FC also had further recognition in becoming the first football team (in the world) to receive a copy of the new Show Racism the Red Card DVD and education pack which looks at challenging Homophobia within the game.

Founding Director of ‘JUST A BALL GAME?’  (a campaign group which challenges issues with homophobia and anti-gay prejudice and helps raise awareness around the inclusion of Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender people,) Lindsay England presented the club Secretary Andy McAnulty and former Chairman Allan Kenyon with the resource as one of the delivery partners for the ‘Homophobia let’s Tackle it!’ which SRtRC have produced in collaboration with a number of LGBT organisations and also celebrities including former England rugby player ben Cohen, Hollyoaks actor Kieron Richardson and Scottish comedian Rhona Cameron.

Hyde FC have also pledged to make tannoy announcements before kick -off at home matches and  change their ground rules and regulations to incorporate alongside Racism,” Homophobic  abuse, chanting or harassment  is strictly forbidden and will result in arrest and/or ejection from the ground.”

Mr McAnulty added ‘’It’s fantastic for Hyde FC to be involved in such a campaign and we hope this will encourage other clubs throughout the whole of the UK to join in and help eradicate homophobia and anti-gay issues from the game.’’

Links: http://www.srtrc.org/      http://justaballgame.blogspot.co.uk/

Lindsay England:     info.justaballgame@yahoo.com

MEDIA RELEASE: UEFA may not take any action on MOURINHO!!

 

NO ACTION FROM UEFA!!

MEDIA RELEASE : JOSE GAY SLUR ROW CONTINUES.

Contact: info.justaballgame@yahoo.com

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

NO ACTION FROM UEFA!!

Just a Ball Game? are saddened to hear  that it seems that UEFA have decided that they will not be taking any action against Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho for comments he made live on TV towards referees when he alluded to them as ‘’y esos maricones’’ ( and those faggotts) during a training session on the CSKA pitch on 20th February.

A spokesperson for UEFA this morning Mr Veron  Mossingo Omba  has stated that UEFA ''Don't know when they will do something against Mourinho. '' he continued ‘’We have priorities and this is not one ! We have a lot of work and we don’t know when we will work on it.’’

It seems also that Mr Omba could not even put a time scale of 2/ 3 months for an investigation to start on the issue.

Founding director of JUST A BALL GAME? Lindsay England says, ‘’For  5 months now we have seen investigations taken place by the FA (Football Association) here in England as homophobic  comments from a number of players have appeared on social network site TWITTER and fines have been imposed on the offenders. ‘’

‘’It saddens us because 6 years ago UEFA introduced a five - point plan of action against sexism and  homophobia to their UNITE AGAINST RACISM initiative in partnership with FARE (Football Against Racism in Europe) at the second UAR conference at the Camp Nou, Barcelona in February 2006.’’

The statements in that very same UEFA documentation claimed both of the following:

A) The reason players have not come out is because the structures of the game of football are not seen as tolerant enough for a player to risk coming out.

B) It is at club level that action to tackle racism and homophobia bears most fruit.

‘’We here at Just a Ball Game? can only do so much to promote diversity and challenge homophobia within the game. The people at the very top of the game must also take some responsibility and action. Messages and action and ones that are genuine also have to come from leaders in the game.

Lindsay England.  JUST A BALL GAME?

FROM THE PRESS: further reports on JOSE gay slur

THANKS TO OUT FRIENDS AT GAY STAR NEWS, JUST A BALL GAME? BRING YOU MORE ON THE STORY.




Real Madrid coach Mourinho makes gay football slur

José Mourinho faces UEFA investigation after making gay slur on camera in Moscow

22 February 2012 | By Tris Reid-Smith

One of Europe’s most celebrated football coaches, José Mourinho, has been caught on camera apparently making a gay slur.
Mourinho is currently coach of Spanish superclub Real Madrid, he was previously at Chelsea in Britain, and is nicknamed ‘The Special One’.
He made the comments while kicking a ball around on a snowy soccer pitch in Moscow on Monday (20 February), prior to the Champion’s League match between Real Madrid and Moscow yesterday (21 February).
In the film clip the cameras follow Mourinho out onto the pitch and the microphone appears to pick him up saying: ‘Y esos maricones… No dicen con que balon se juega?’ This translates as: ‘And these queers… do not say that you play ball?’
Gay Star News understands that French LGBT team Paris Foot Gay and campaigner Lindsay England have complained about his behaviour to UEFA, the governing body for European soccer.
They have been told that UEFA will investigate. The organization has officially backed Football v Homophobia week this week.
England, founding director of LGBT activist group Just a Ball Game? said the slur was ‘unnecessary and inappropriate’.
She added: ‘As fans of the game both LGBT and straight the world over are this week celebrating the lives of LGBT players, coaches, managers, etc under the banner of Football v Homophobia comments such as this from high profile and well respected people within the game highlight how much work and education there is still needed to be done.
‘There have been a number of coaches, managers and former managers in the past several years who have made these type of comments and it’s hoped that European governing body UEFA will hold Mr Mourinho accountable and implement the correct fines and disciplinary action.’
You can see the clip here:

 

IN THE PRESS: Mourinho makes gay slur

Thanks to the PINK NEWS we can bring you more on the Media release we put out last week.

Video: Ex-Chelsea coach Mourinho under fire for gay slur

by Stephen Grayfor PinkNews.co.uk
23 February 2012, 11:02am

Football coach José Mourinho has prompted outrage after being filmed using a Spanish gay slur ahead of a game at a Russian stadium.
Footage of Mourinho referring to ‘maricones’ the plural of ‘maricón’, a word equivalent to ‘faggot’ in English emerged this week.
While inspecting a snow-covered pitch on Monday, he is filmed saying: “Y esos maricones… No dicen con que balon se juega?”
This translates roughly to: “And those faggots… do not say that you play ball?”
Mourinho was a prominent figure in British football as the coach of Chelsea FC.
Known colloquially as “The Special One” for his coaching skills, he moved to Real Madrid in 2010.
Lindsay England, the Founding Director of LGBT campaign and activist group Just A Ball Game? has condemned the slur, calling it ‘’un-necessary and inappropriate language.”
“As fans of the game both LGBT and straight the world over are this week celebrating the lives of LGBT players, coaches, managers, etc under the banner of Football v Homophobia, comments such as this from high profile and well respected people within the game highlight how much work and education there is still needed to be done.”
“There have been a number of coaches, managers and former managers in the past several years who have made these type of comments and it’s hoped that European governing body UEFA will hold Mr Mourinho accountable and implement the correct fines and disciplinary action.”
Louise Englefield, co-president of The European Gay and Lesbian Sports Federation is quoted in the Daily Mail saying: “Homophobia is unacceptable from anyone in football, much less from one of the game’s most senior figures. We are deeply disappointed that Mr. Mourinho is casually using homophobic terms of abuse in his workplace.
“It is especially sad that these comments have been made during the International Football v Homophobia campaign week. As long-standing partners of the FARE network, we call on UEFA to take action and impose appropriate sanctions.”
UEFA had not responded to EGLSF’s complaint this morning

Bradford City endorse FOOTBALL V HOMOPHOBIA City v Hereford 25th FEB 2012.

what is FOOTBALL v HOMOPHOBIA?


On February 19th 2010, The Justin Campaign launched “Football v Homophobia” – An international day opposing homophobia in football. The intention of this initiative is to provide an opportunity for individuals, communities and teams the world over to communicate their disapproval of homophobia in the game and celebrate its diverse following under the banner of Football v Homophobia.

The initiative is now about to enjoy its third year! Its growth and success is testament to all those who have supported and contributed to its development.And remember you don’t have to be a football fan or a sports group to back the campaign! Impacting on homophobia in football will communicate a zero tolerance attitude to homophobia, in any shape or form, across the world.

Football v Homophobia: football for everyone

18^th – 26^th February 2012

Football v Homophobia is an international campaign in football to tackle homophobia and prejudice against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people.  It’s a campaign that is important for everyone in football, regardless of their sexuality.  Homophobia, prejudice and discrimination affect us all.  Justin Fashanu, the first ever out gay male professional footballer suffered bulling and hostility after his sexual orientation became public, but so too have straight footballers such as Graeme Le Saux and Sol Campbell.

Just like racism, homophobia, biphobia and transphobia tarnish football for all of us.  According to research (Stonewall 2009), almost 2 out of every 3 fans think that football would be a better sport if anti-gay abuse was eradicated.  52% of fans think that football should do more to prevent anti gay abuse and discrimination, whilst 70% of fans have heard anti gay abuse at football matches in the last 5 years.

Homophobic abuse is outlawed by The FA’s Ground Regulations.  It is punishable by both the police and also by The FA, in exactly the same way as racism is.  Chanting, verbal abuse, banners or text that uses homophobic, hateful or prejudiced language can lead to charges ranging from being banned from attending matches or being fined, to even imprisonment.

The aim of Football v Homophobia is to make football safe and welcoming for all.  We want to ensure that football values the contributions made by all people regardless of their gender and sexuality.  To get involved with the campaign and make a difference, visit our website: www.footballvhomophobia.com

3 simple things you can do to support football v homophobia

1.       Follow FvH and promote us on social media

2.       Take some simple actions to make a difference through our website  www.footballvhomophobia.com

Report any incidences of homophobic language at football.  Talk to a nearby steward, the police, a club official, or the referee or your County





what is LGTB HISTORY MONTH?


Once again the events of FOOTBALL v HOMOPHOBIA are also part of LGBT History Month.
We are lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people and their friends.
We exist in all times and places. We speak each and every language. We laugh and cry. We talk and remain silent.
When we can, we attend school, college and university. When we can, we go out into the streets. We read the papers and watch the TV. We attend church, synagogue, temple and mosque. We are free and confined. We celebrate and we hide. We are happy and sad. We are supported and alone.
Our lives are both ordinary and extraordinary.
LGBT History Month is an opportunity for all of us to learn more about the histories of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in Britain and Northern Ireland.
Since 1997 the position of LGBT people has improved as a result of human rights legislation. Transsexual men and women are now able to assert their gender on passports and birth certificates. Section 28 was repealed in 2003. Since 2010 we have had a single Equality Act that includes sexual orientation and gender reassignment among its protected characteristics. A crime with a homophobic motive is now a hate crime. LGB people can enter civil partnerships and enjoy the same pension rights as  heterosexual couples. We have become visible in the media, from Saturday night TV and soap characters to dramas and documentaries about our LGBT ancestors. Out and proud gay and lesbian MPs sit in parliament in all the major parties.
Sport has also its share of LGBT's participating both at professional and grass roots level.
If we want it to have a major impact, we must share the responsibility for making it happen. Click here for suggestions for events and activities, as well as other information.


BRADFORD CITY- HOMOPHOBIA and ANTI-GAY ISSUES.

Since the introduction of  amendments to ground rules and regulations outlawing homophobic chanting inside football grounds in 2007, Bradford City FC (although sadly themselves have an unruly small element of support who do not adhere to complying) have engaged with LGBT community members, campaigners and activist in a number of ways to help reduce a homophobic environment at  the clubs home and away games.
The actions taken have been in the form of the following:
Immediately changing ground rules and regulations on display boards inside the ground and in the programme under the customer charter.
Likewise amendments were made to use of appropriate language on the official website message boards.
Fans were alerted and informed by both articles in the match day programmes from BCST, and City Gent fanzine with the clubs approval of the text.
Interaction with West Yorkshire Football Police Intelligence Units also led to tannoy announcements prior to kick off once again helping to inform all in attendance of the clubs intolerance to homophobia.
Incidents which were reported by fans at games were looked into and where possible, action taken, and also further instruction throughout stewarding and security prioritised to help with future prevention.

More recently the club have agreed for extra education to be delivered to match day staff, provided by Just a Ball Game? with continued support for this LGBT organisations efforts at raising awareness and building up a partnership with them.

Bradford City FC also became the 3rd professional club to sign up to the governments charter which aims at tackling homophobia and transphobia in sport.






One of the biggest steps taken was for the club to become the first professional team to allow, endorse and host an event day on the 10th December 2011 when Just a Ball Game? teamed up with the CWU (communication workers union) for an ACTION DAY in which literature featuring anti-gay issues and highlighting LGBT issues within football were distributed to fans as they arrived for the home match that day.
The official signing of the charter was marked by team members David Syers and Mark Stewart having photos taken with CWU equality officers and Just a Ball Game?
Following this great work the club was recognised and given the first ever JUST A BALL GAME? award for Challenging Homophobia in Football, when a silver salver was presented to Alan Biggin pitch side before the Plymouth game.

Just a Ball Game? match ball sponsors of HYDE FC.

JUST A BALL GAME? to sponsor match ball for HYDE FC game.Another first for the TIGERS!!

Hyde Fc will host Droylsden in the Blue Square North  as  a FOOTBALL v HOMOPHOBIA game on 25th FEB, kick off 3pm.
JUST A BALL GAME? will be match ball sponsors.
The Hyde team will come out onto the pitch wearing both Just a Ball game? and Football v Homophobia t-shirts.
Village Manchester FC will also be attending the game?
Football v homophobia banner will be displayed throughout the game, flyer's and stickers and badges given out.




what is JUST A BALL GAME?

Just a ball game? contact us ..... info.justaballgame@yahoo.com

Description

Just a ball game? A campaign group which will help both grass roots and professional sports groups, organisations , authorities, along with governments, education establishments and trade unions build on the delivery of their existing work to deliver the core values of ''SiR'' SAFETY-INCLUSION-RESPECT around LGBT people, sexual orientation and gender identity. We hope to step OUT and be public to ...become role models for others. We will raise awareness and challenge what is seen as homophobia/anti-gay. LGBT football, LGBT sport, LGBT campaigns, LGBT activists. “Open the doors for them, give them hope,” raise awareness around LGBT issues, promote LGBT history and achievements. Aim to change mind-sets, help to dispel myths and widen education in different cultures in a healthy active way. See More

Website	http://justaballgame.blogspot.com/

what is FOOTBALL v HOMOPHOBIA?


On February 19th 2010, The Justin Campaign launched “Football v Homophobia” – An international day opposing homophobia in football. The intention of this initiative is to provide an opportunity for individuals, communities and teams the world over to communicate their disapproval of homophobia in the game and celebrate its diverse following under the banner of Football v Homophobia.

The initiative is now about to enjoy its third year! Its growth and success is testament to all those who have supported and contributed to its development.And remember you don’t have to be a football fan or a sports group to back the campaign! Impacting on homophobia in football will communicate a zero tolerance attitude to homophobia, in any shape or form, across the world.

Football v Homophobia: football for everyone

18^th – 26^th February 2012

Football v Homophobia is an international campaign in football to tackle homophobia and prejudice against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people. It’s a campaign that is important for everyone in football, regardless of their sexuality. Homophobia, prejudice and discrimination affect us all. Justin Fashanu, the first ever out gay male professional footballer suffered bulling and hostility after his sexual orientation became public, but so too have straight footballers such as Graeme Le Saux and Sol Campbell.

Just like racism, homophobia, biphobia and transphobia tarnish football for all of us. According to research (Stonewall 2009), almost 2 out of every 3 fans think that football would be a better sport if anti-gay abuse was eradicated. 52% of fans think that football should do more to prevent anti gay abuse and discrimination, whilst 70% of fans have heard anti gay abuse at football matches in the last 5 years.

Homophobic abuse is outlawed by The FA’s Ground Regulations. It is punishable by both the police and also by The FA, in exactly the same way as racism is. Chanting, verbal abuse, banners or text that uses homophobic, hateful or prejudiced language can lead to charges ranging from being banned from attending matches or being fined, to even imprisonment.

The aim of Football v Homophobia is to make football safe and welcoming for all. We want to ensure that football values the contributions made by all people regardless of their gender and sexuality. To get involved with the campaign and make a difference, visit our website: www.footballvhomophobia.com

3 simple things you can do to support football v homophobia

1. Follow FvH and promote us on social media

2. Take some simple actions to make a difference through our website www.footballvhomophobia.com

Report any incidences of homophobic language at football. Talk to a nearby steward, the police, a club official, or the referee or your County

who are VILLAGE MANCHESTER FC?

"Village Manchester Football Club have been competing in local Sunday leagues for the past ten years with the aim of showing that gay men can play football at a good level and to reduce prejudice in sport simply by getting on the pitch and showing what we can do.

"We're delighted to see Hyde committing to the Anti-Homophobia charter.  It's important that equality in sports is promoted at every level and having the Blue Square Bet Conference North leaders taking a strong stance is a very encouraging sign.  We hope to work with the club in the future to ensure that young LGBT footballers feel they can play at any level without the need to hide their sexuality."










WHAT IS LGBT HISTORY MONTH?


Once again the events of FOOTBALL v HOMOPHOBIA are also part of LGBT History Month.
We are lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people and their friends.
We exist in all times and places. We speak each and every language. We laugh and cry. We talk and remain silent.
When we can, we attend school, college and university. When we can, we go out into the streets. We read the papers and watch the TV. We attend church, synagogue, temple and mosque. We are free and confined. We celebrate and we hide. We are happy and sad. We are supported and alone.
Our lives are both ordinary and extraordinary.
LGBT History Month is an opportunity for all of us to learn more about the histories of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in Britain and Northern Ireland.
Since 1997 the position of LGBT people has improved as a result of human rights legislation. Transsexual men and women are now able to assert their gender on passports and birth certificates. Section 28 was repealed in 2003. Since 2010 we have had a single Equality Act that includes sexual orientation and gender reassignment among its protected characteristics. A crime with a homophobic motive is now a hate crime. LGB people can enter civil partnerships and enjoy the same pension rights as heterosexual couples. We have become visible in the media, from Saturday night TV and soap characters to dramas and documentaries about our LGBT ancestors. Out and proud gay and lesbian MPs sit in parliament in all the major parties.
Sport has also its share of LGBT's participating both at professional and grass roots level.
If we want it to have a major impact, we must share the responsibility for making it happen. Click here for suggestions for events and activities, as well as other information.

MEDIA RELEASE: SPECIAL ONE IN GAY SLUR ROW

 

              MEDIA RELEASE for immediate release. 21/02/2012.

             THE SPECIAL ONE IN GAY SLUR ROW.

The Coach of Spanish Super club REAL MADRID and former Chelsea ‘special one’ Jose Mourinho has found himself at the centre of a gay slur row following footage showing him making comments while he kicked a ball around on a winter clad pitch in Moscow prior to a Champions league tie.

It’s understood that cameras followed Mr Mourinho though the stadium out onto the pitch wear questions were raised around what colour ball the teams would play with. With film still rolling the statement in Portuguese was clearly herd saying ‘’Y esos maricones….No dicen con que balon se juega?’’ which when translated is ‘’And those faggots….do not say that you play ball?’’

Founding Director of LGBT campaign and activist group JUST A BALL GAME? Lindsay England has condemned the slur, calling it ‘’un-necessary and inappropriate language.’’

‘’As fans of the game both LGBT and straight the world over are this week celebrating the lives of LGBT players, coaches, managers, etc under the banner of FOOTBALL v HOMOPHOBIA http://www.footballvhomophobia.com/  comments such as this from high profile and well respected people within the game highlight how much work and education there is still needed to be done.’’

‘’There have been a number of coaches, managers and former managers in the past several years who have made these type of comments and it’s hoped that European governing body UEFA will hold Mr Mourinho accountable and implement the correct fines and disciplinary action.’’

Film of Mourinho making the slur can be found here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=UxVQkMYWoGY

Lindsay England.    justaballgame.blogspot.com

Double standards from QPR? -they warn fans not to sing homophobic songs only hours after singing a player who encouraged fans to be homophobic!

Fans of QPR have been warned of their conduct ahead of this weekends FA Cup clash with Chelsea.Yet this has happened only hours after the news broke that the club has signed former Marseille Nigerian player Taye Taiwo.
Why the big fuss you may ask?
Well Taiwo, AC Milan's 26 year-old left-back has joined the premiership side on loan till the end of the season, and he is the player who was found guilty of being homophobic in April last year (2011) and fined £17,000 by the French football chiefs and given a one game ban.
His crime?
The player celebrated his winning goal against French side Montpellier's at the final whistle by grabbing a microphone and led the signing with the clubs hardcore supporters of an expletive-ridden homophobic song about their bitter rivals Paris St. Germain.
This action by the club doesn't set much of an example for its fans to follow, on one hand they want the fans to behave themselves and be accepting of diversity, but then turn a blind eye to the actions of a player who so publicly disgraced himself as a role model to many fans of the game, and showed his ignorance and lack of respect to an LGBT community.

JUST A BALL GAME?-''HAPPY NEW YEAR''

    JUST A BALL GAME? would like to thank all those who have helped out and supported our efforts over the year 2011 and wish all campaigners and activists a HAPPY NEW YEAR for 2012.

MEDIA RELEASE dec 2011 HYDE FC first BLUE SQUARE NORTH club to sign' CHARTER'

       MEDIA RELEASE   JUST A BALL GAME?  December 2011.

                             info.justaballgame@yahoo.com

                 HYDE FC to tackle homophobia in football.

A little bit of history was made last night (05/12/11) at Ewen Fields when HYDE FC become the first Blue Square Bet North  football club to officially sign up to the Government ‘charter against homophobia and transphobia in sport’ after their 4-1 home win against Eastwood.

The Tigers pride themselves on being very much a community club and they welcomed Lindsay England from football’s LGBT campaigning organization JUST A BALL GAME? as a guest for the home fixture, and Manager Gary Lowe and player Gianluca Haveren were more than happy to add a signature to the charter committing the club to challenging homophobia and taking a zero tolerance to any anti-gay abuse or chanting within the game.

The club have also stated they will look at hosting a celebrity match or training session and invite LGBT players to attend to help celebrate LGBT History Month in February of next year.

Until stepping down early this year former Director of Hyde FC, Julie Whitehead was the only ‘out’ lesbian involved in the semi-professional game in a senior managerial role, showing Hyde FC are one of the most inclusive teams in the country.

Contact: Lindsay England.  

                                          info.justaballgame@yahoo.com