Year

Ignoring racism, is accepting racism – take your stand and join the FARE Action Week! Discrimination and racism is sadly a regular occurrence in European football and is all too often swept under the carpet. Therefore, for the 10th successive season the Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) network is coordinating action in and around football stadiums across Europe. Between 15th and 27th October 2009 large sections of the European football family in 40 countries will stand united against racism and discrimination. Over the last years some good progress has been made in challenging racism and discrimination in the game, [...]

A report from Britain’s leading gay rights campaign group Stonewall, has today called for football to take more decisive action on homophobic abuse in football. The research finds that anti-gay abuse in the sport has been witnessed by seven in ten fans. The research also reveals that fans expect greater action to tackle the problem. ‘Leagues Behind – Football’s failure to tackle anti-gay abuse’ includes a survey of over 2,000 football fans from across Britain and interviews with football insiders and lesbian and gay players. It finds that Three in five fans believe that anti-gay abuse from fans dissuades gay [...]

For the first time a Gay House will be opened during the Olympic Games. Holland House for instance is legend not only at the Olympics but also at the Gay Games and Outgames. Dean Nelson, an organizer for Pride House, where gay, lesbian and other athletes will be able to socialize at the Vancouver Olympics says that "Pride House is going to rock the Olympics." www.nytimes.com/2009/07/20/sports/olympics/20pride.html

The European Gay and Lesbian Sport Federation (EGLSF) today expressed grave concerns over reports by Kick It Out last month that a Turkish referee has been forced to step down after his homosexuality was revealed through a medical report. Halil ?brahim Din?da? was forced to leave his job because he had been excused from his compulsory military service on account of his homosexuality, which was then documented. According to the sport's regulations, anyone who fails to complete his military service for health reasons is unfit to perform as a referee. Pepe Garcia Vazquez, Male Co-president of the EGLSF, an organisation [...]