The last taboo in football loosens. The German Football Association (DFB) has recognised homophobia as a recurrent problem in football. At the first DFB Fan Conference in June in Leipzig, the problem of homophobia in German football was discussed for the first time ever. This week, the European Gay and Lesbian Sport Federation (EGLSF) will hold an international conference about homophobia in football in Antwerp.

The „…More than Playing Games“ - Conference on July 12, 2007 will be in remembrance of the only openly gay UEFA referee, John Blankenstein. The Dutch referee led international games for 17 years. He died in August 2006 because of kidney ailment. When he was asked in an interview why homosexuality still is a problem in football he said: "Football still is a macho world. The general concept still is that a football player needs a pretty woman. Two kissing men would destroy this ideal world."

At the end of the conference in Antwerp, a declaration will be signed by all conference participants. This declaration is based on the Leipzig Declaration „Fighting Discrimination in Football” which was supported by the participants of the DFB Fan Conference in June. With the joint signature in Antwerp, all present groups and organizations will express their commitment in the fight against all forms of discrimination as well.

With the opening of the 11th EuroGames, the conference in Belgium will be closed. EuroGames are the European Gay and Lesbian Multi-sports Championships. The EGLSF is the licence holder of EuroGames. Today about 3.500 participants from over 30 countries are already registered for 12 sports (from Badminton via Football to Swimming). In addition, the organisers expect over 10.000 visitors.

After the summer break, EGLSF will take more action against all forms of discrimination in sport. For the prelude of the FARE action week (FARE = Football Against Racism in Europe) in October, an event against discrimination in German football is planned in the Berliner Olympic Stadium themed: "Football is everything, eve”