MPs demand two-year bans for supporters found guilty of homophobic abuse
A PARLIAMENTARY report has called for homophobic abuse from football supporters to be punished with lengthy stadium bans in a report welcomed by the FA.
The Mail on Sunday revealed last October how professional football was in chronic denial about homophobia and how gay Premier League players were too afraid to come out.
Parliament’s Culture, Media and Sport committee publish their latest findings today and single out football as ‘not doing enough’. It continues: ‘[Football] should take a tougher approach, issuing immediate one- to two-year bans in the first instance to indicate clearly that homophobic behaviour will not be tolerated.’
A recent survey found that 72 per cent of football fans had heard homophobic abuse at matches. The FA do not currently deal with sanctioning supporters for abuse at stadiums and leave that in the hands of specific clubs and the police, but they plan to analyse and evaluate the CMS committee report as they attempt to tackle the problem.
CMS committee chairman Damian Collins said: ‘From the evidence we have received, there are many gay athletes who have not come out because they are frightened of the impact this decision will have on their careers, and the lives of the people they love. That is not acceptable.
‘Sports clubs are responsible for the wellbeing of their players: coaches and managers must make it clear that homophobic language cannot be used without comment or redress, just
as they should not allow racist behaviour to go without reprimand.’
A key fear, as well as abuse from the stands, is that sponsorship deals will be affected should a player reveal they are gay. The report recommends that sponsors write agreements into their contracts with players that states their deal would not be terminated or their position affected if they came out.
An FA spokesman said: ‘We welcome the report and we will review it in full. Tackling homophobia, transphobia and biphobia in football is one of [chairman Greg Clarke’s] top priorities.’
The report also called for match officials to report abuse at youth levels after a study found that 73 per cent felt youth sport was not a supportive place for lesbian, gay or bisexual athletes.
A spokesman for football equality campaigners Kick It Out said: ‘We welcome this report and support the proposals. Kick It Out will continue educating young footballers, with the aim to make the game more welcoming and inclusive.’