We at the London FA consider ourselves allies to the LGBTQ+ community and firmly support inclusion for this community within the game.

Everyone, regardless of who they are, have a right to enjoy football without fear of discrimination. 

Events of 2020 have highlighted long-standing inequalities across society. It is evident that the COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected marginalised groups, including people from LGBTQ+ communities. 

The events of this year have also shown how much community and allyship matter. The impact of COVID-19 means many of us need sport and physical activity more than ever and football should be a safe haven for everyone, including those from the LGBTQ+ community. The role of sport and fitness has never been more important – they bring people together and, by working together, we can make football everyone’s game.

One of the London FA’s strategic goals is to create ‘a workforce as diverse as the city itself’ – this is inclusive of race, disability, gender and sexuality. Furthermore, our mission is ‘to govern, safeguard and develop the grassroots game to ensure the best and most welcoming football experiences for all across the capital’. This encompasses our commitment to increasing access to LGBTQ+ individuals and standing as allies to make football for all, and this work is led by an internal Inclusion Advisory Group. 

If you need help or advice, you can call Stonewalls information service FREEPHONE on 08000 0502020 or visit their website. Likewise, for more information and ways to report discrimination, you can check out the Kick It Out website. 

To find the FA’s policies on tackling homophobia and LGBTQ+ representation in football, click here. 

If you, or someone you know, would like to report homophobic abuse experience in football, contact our discipline team at discipline@londonfa.com.