American sports leagues pressure Arizona to veto anti-gay law
A controversial anti-gay bill was vetoed by Arizona governor Jan Brewer only hours after pressure from American sports leagues.
Nicolas Anelka banned for five matches for quenelle
West Bromwich Albion have suspended Nicolas Anelka after the Frenchman was banned for five matches by the Football Association and fined €98,600 for the quenelle gesture.
Rabbi Howell football’s first professional Roma player
Howell was the first Romani footballer and the first Romani international, playing his first game for England in March 1895 and scoring in a 9-0 defeat over Ireland.
First Russian LGBT Open Games go ahead after bomb threat
A number of adversities, including venue cancellations and a bomb threat, have put at risk Russia’s first openLGBT athletic competition, held between 26 February – 2 March.
Mexican Football Federation adopts new disciplinary code against racism
The protocol, which came into force yesterday on 25 February, is applicable to all leagues and tournaments of the Mexican professional football.
Dortmund fan banned until 2020 for performing a Nazi salute
Borussia Dortmund have banned a supporter from their stadium until 2020 for shouting “Sieg Heil” at a match against Hamburg SV.
Futsal Festival to promote inclusion among ethnic minority women in the UK
MWSF’s Futsal Festival seeks to celebrate diversity and understanding by bringing together women of different ages, abilities, faiths and cultural backgrounds.
Spanish LGBT groups call for action to tackle homophobia in sport
Two Spanish LGBT networks are calling on the country’s government to implement new measures that challenge homophobia and promote equality in sport
Jason Collins becomes NBA’s first openly gay player
US basketball player Jason Collins has become the first NBA gay athlete to actively compete in a major American professional sports team and league.
English organisation celebrates 2014 as the Arthur Wharton Year
A range of educational resources have been launched by FURD to coincide with the 125th Anniversary of Arthur Wharton signing for a club in 1889, with which he became world’s first black professional player.
Polish Parliament hosts anti-discrimination football exhibition
The exhibition tells the stories and contributions made by players of ethnic minority backgrounds to the country’s football and raises awareness of discrimination.
Racism row mars Mexican football
In a week, four players have been subjected to monkey chants in games of the Mexican first division Liga MX
Brazilian women use football to escape the favelas
For decades, women’s football was banned in Brazil. Now ex-drug traffickers are tackling prejudice in the game by training future soccer stars from the favelas.
Brazilian football unites in support of racially abused player
Cruzeiro midfielder Tinga tells the world “I would rather win the fight against prejudice than any title” after he was subjected to racism during a Libertadores match
Football tournament tackles homophobia in South West England
The Football Association backed tournament will raise awareness of prejudice and discrimination against the LGBT community.
Ecuadorian club invites Lilian Thuram to speak about racism in football
Deportivo Quito, an Ecuadorian Serie A football club, invited the former international Thuram to give a lecture to the players on racism in football.
Support the first LGBT Russian Open Games in Moscow
Fare is collecting donations to support the first LGBT Russian Open Games that will take place in Moscow, between 26 February and the 2 March 2014.
Incidents reported to Fare during December 2013
The following incidents of racism, xenophobia, extreme nationalism or homophobia have been reported to Fare during December 2013.
NFL prospect could become the league’s first openly gay player
An American college footballer, who is a potential top prospect in the NFL upcoming draft, could become the league’s first openly gay player.
African asylum seekers in Sicily dream of football glory
An Italian team formed of African asylum seekers is dreaming of glory as the team is on track to advance to the next division in its first season.
LGBT football tournament to promote tolerance and diversity in Israel
The first “Football State Pride Tournament” will celebrate diversity in Tel-Aviv, Israel, on 13 February, as part of the Football v Homophobia month of action.
England women’s captain Casey Stoney comes out as gay
The England women’s captain Casey Stoney has spoken publicly about being gay for the first time.
UEFA announces leadership scheme for women in football
UEFA has announced the creation of a new project that will help develop the potential of women in football across its 54 member associations.
Argentinian campaign tackles discrimination at Buenos Aires derby
An Argentinian initiative to tackle discrimination in football grounds was launched at the country’s Superclásico played last weekend.
Tottenham Hotspur announces formation of LGBT fan group
Tottenham Hotspur have announced the formation of its first LGBT fan group as part of its support for the Football v Homophobia month of action.
Handbook promotes women’s empowerment through football
The book is a collection of experiences from women active in football programmes and teams across the world that use the sport for social change.
Man Utd and Chelsea back ‘Football v Homophobia’ campaign
The idea of the campaign is to challenge homophobic behaviour while welcoming more lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender (LGBT) people to football.
Football v Homophobia to host media workshop on gender, sexuality and sport
The workshop will raise awareness of the significance of gender and sexuality in sports reporting in the frame of the LGBT month of action.