FA report explosion in homophobic incidents after Rainbow Laces campaign marred by refusals
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The FA have reported a near 20 percent increase in allegations of discrimination relating to sexual orientation in grassroots football. The governing body published its Grassroots Disciplinary Review for the 2023/2024 season on Thursday. The report covers matches played at Step 5 and below of the men’s football pyramid and Step 3 and below of the women’s football pyramid.
The review found there were 678 serious case allegations related to sexual orientation discrimination, a 19.6% increase from the report on the 22/23 campaign, 398 charges from these allegations, with 333 of those charges proven, an 11.7% increase. That final statistic means that there were more proven charges of homophobia than for any other type of discrimination. The report has been met with concern from campaign group FootballvHomophobia.
"This development is deeply concerning to FvH, which has been operating for 15 years and continues to receive no core funding. The campaign believes a more targeted approach is required to halt the rise in anti-LGBTQ+ language and behaviour at grassroots," the group said in a statement.
"The specific metrics relating to sexual orientation in the Review should be a matter of considerable concern to The FA. FvH is calling for a greater commitment to education from the governing body, clubs, leagues, county FAs and other organisations around tackling anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination that makes people feel unwelcome and unsafe in football spaces.
"By clearly amplifying the ‘Football v Homophobia’ campaign in its annual Month of Action in February, and supporting the campaign’s training programs, those with a responsibility to halt the rise in proven charges of anti-gay abuse can take decisive steps.
