Grants to be awarded to support Football v Homophobia campaign

Illustrated rainbow pride flag on a white background.

The Football v Homophobia (FvH) campaign, supported by Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) has launched a programme of small grants to combat homophobia in the sport during 2013.

The programme, which will offer ten grants of €300 to fans groups, grass root football clubs and other community based organisations to support them acknowledging the Football v Homophobia campaign next month.

Megan Worthing-Davies, from the Football v Homophobia campaign said: “Our goal for 2013 is not only to get more professional clubs involved in the campaign, but also to get fans, grass roots players and community activists involved in spreading the message that football will not tolerate discrimination and abuse of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.”

The campaign is held annually during February with support from both the English FA and UEFA.
It was set up by the Justin Campaign, which is named after Justin Fashanu, the only professional footballer in the UK to have come out as gay.

The organisers said that while initiatives have taken off in Germany, Spain and Croatia, more countries should take part in anti-homophobia in football campaigns.

Today, West Ham player Matt Jarvis said gay footballers should come out, that they would be supported, and that they might even play better if they did.

Applications are open from today until just the 11th January and can be made by clicking here.