Leeds United supports the Football v Homophobia Month of Action | OneFootball

February is the international campaign month of 'Football v Homophobia' and Leeds United will be showing their support for the annual initiative.

Football v Homophobia (FvH) is a campaign that unites football in opposing homophobia and prejudice against LGBTQ+ people in football.

Year round, FvH enables people to take action against prejudice and discrimination based on sexuality or gender in football, and to celebrate and welcome diversity across the game. This culminates in an international show of support in February to help raise awareness around ongoing issues and to join people together in making a visible stand for inclusion.

Leeds United is pleased to be supporting the campaign this season, and the club will be showcasing their support at the Sky Bet Championship fixture against Sunderland on Monday 17th February, when the team will also be taking part in the EFL's Rainbow Ball campaign in support of the LGBTQ+ community.

In recent years polls have shown that whilst football fans would be more accepting than ever of a gay player in their team, as many as 72% of football fans have still heard homophobic abuse at football matches. Using homophobic or transphobic language or attempting to put someone down because of their gender or sexuality, is wrong. It is against the Laws of the Game and can be a criminal offense and result in supporters being banned, but most importantly it can make football an intimidating and unpleasant place for other fans, players, staff, and match officials.

We know that change starts with education and the club recognises that it has a role to play in leading the way in raising awareness around various forms of discrimination within the club and its community.

Leeds United believes in a game where LGBTQ+ people can be seen and heard and valued for their contribution to football. Leeds United will continue to create a safe and welcoming football environment for everyone and we want our supporters to help us achieve this.

We are asking all of our supporters to get behind this campaign and show everyone that there is no place for hate at Elland Road or within football.

To find out more about the Football v Homophobia campaign, and the action you can personally take in February, please click here.