I’M a firm believer in football being a sport for all, a game for everyone, no matter who they are, or where they’re from.
And that’s why it’s so sad that nearly half of people who happen to be gay, bisexual or transgender, don’t believe that sports events are welcome places for them.
The EFL showed their support for Rainbow Laces this weekend and the Prem follows next weekCredit: Rex Features
It’s why we need to shout about inclusion and celebrate it in all sports.
The EFL showed their support for Rainbow Laces this weekend and the Prem follows next week.
A time of the season when football clubs, players and thousands of people around the country will be standing up to bigotry in sport.
In this year’s Women’s World Cup it’s been reported there were around 41 female players or coaches who are openly gay or bisexual.
In women’s football at domestic level you have people like my old Gunners team-mate Casey Stoney and West Ham’s Gilly Flaherty who are willing to speak out because of how important it is for our game to be welcoming.
In recent months much has been said about the women’s game being an accepting environment for players, as well as fans, who are not heterosexual.
In the men’s game we have yet to see a footballer currently playing at the highest level who is openly gay or bisexual.
Ex-Gunners player Casey Stoney has spoken on how important it is for our game to be welcomingCredit: Rex Features
I’m proud that our game is attempting to tackle discrimination on the pitch, on the terraces and elsewhere.
But there’s still much more that needs to be done to punish and prevent abuse aimed at players, teams and fans.
In this day and age we need to make sure inclusion means everyone. And in football that’s the players, the workers at a club and the fans as well.
People should feel comfortable playing for or cheering on their teams and be part of their community and not feel isolated.
It’s necessary because we are starting to change cultures and inspire girls and boys who are growing up as fans of our game.
That’s why it’s important to spread the messages of Rainbow Laces and to see both the Women’s Super League and the men’s Premier League get behind it.
West Ham’s Gilly Flaherty has also stressed the importance of acceptance in the sportCredit: Getty Images – Getty
BETH’S BIG SHOUT
By Sandra Brobbey
ARSENAL’S Beth Mead hopes a campaign to help boot out homophobia from football will inspire more people to “speak out”.
The England forward, who is in a relationship with fellow Gunners star Danielle van de Donk, faces Bristol City today.
This weekend many WSL sides are backing the Rainbow Laces campaign, which started six years ago.
It aims to promote inclusion and root out bigotry in football — in particular prejudice targeting players, fans and officials from the LGBT community.
Across the country, thousands of sportspeople will show their support by donning rainbow- coloured bootstraps.
Mead, 24, said: “I think if players like me and Danielle can make people feel more comfortable and proud of who they are, then that’s a good thing.
“I think it creates an environment for people to be able to talk and speak out about who they are, regardless of what anybody else thinks.
“It’s a great campaign that can help boys and girls to be open to who they are as people.”
Mead has continued last season’s fine form for club and country over the past four months.
Her performances have led Arsenal, who are third in the league, to offer her a new contact.
In 2017-18 the former Sunderland star became the WSL’s assist queen.
She broke England icon Karen Carney’s record — much to the annoyance of the former Arsenal and Chelsea winger. Mead added: “I got 12 assists in the league last season and that was a league record. I beat Karen’s record and she wasn’t too happy!
“I want to help my team but I also want to get more assists and beat my own record.
“I feel super-excited about my new contract at the club.
“I’ve been pleased with my form, although I could still improve.
“For myself in England and for Arsenal, I want to keep improving in every game.”
Although the Gunners beat Bristol City 7-0 in an FA Women’s League Cup tie last week, Mead expects a tricky home clash. She believes the Vixens, who were thrashed 5-0 by Manchester City last week, cannot be underestimated.
She said: “Bristol are not a team we can take lightly, even though we knocked a lot of goals past them ten days ago.
“They will have dissected every bit of the game to look at what went wrong.
“It will be tough because we kind of know each other better now.
“But we’ll go out there to play our best football like every week.”
I’m glad many clubs playing in the WSL today will be supporting the campaign. We need to keep this conversation going.
Speaking of the top leagues, my old club Arsenal have made headlines this weekend.
The good news is striker Beth Mead, who’s been in good form of late, has signed a new contract at the club.
You want to keep your best players at a club and Beth is definitely one of those.
She’s scored four goals in 11 appearances so far this season and was Arsenal’s top scorer in 2017 to 2018, scoring 16 times in 24 games.
She’s still young at 24 and hasn’t even hit her prime yet.
For Arsenal to keep her is great for the club’s ambition.
David Luiz attends Chelsea women’s Champions League match with PSG
Mead and the team are up against Bristol City tomorrow.
They’ll go into that game full of confidence because they won 7-0 the last time they played the Vixens.
But I doubt we will see a similar scoreline as I expect Bristol City won’t be as open and expansive as before.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
