FA to launch anti-homophobia campaign

The Football Association is planning to release a DVD to raise awareness of homophobia in the sport.

After a number of incidents involving anti-gay chants and abuse, the organisation is teaming up with Kick It Out, the Professional Footballers Association and Peter Tatchell to produce the video.

An FA spokesman said: “The idea is that we’ll have something ready for the start of the 2009/10 season.

“Ideally, we’ll be able to get the DVD shown on stadium big screens plus schools, colleges and universities across the country.

“We’re hopeful that well-known players will get involved via the PFA although it’s important to stress that no-one has yet been approached as we’re still at the storyboard stage.”

Sol Campbell and David Beckham are among the big-name stars who have been subjected to homophobic abuse.

At a game in September, a 13-year-old boy was among those charged with “indecent chanting” targeted at Portsmouth player Campbell.