The Dutch Football Federation (KNVB) have launched a new anti-discrimination campaign, which is pledging to 'Cross Out Discrimination' ('Zet Een Streep Door Discriminatie') in football. 

Launched on Wednesday (14 December) in Rotterdam ahead of the round of 16 of the KNVB Cup, the campaign is part of a larger initiative of the Dutch Ministry of the Interior aimed at addressing and raising awareness of discrimination in sport and in the workplace.

"I hope this [campaign] brings about a positive change. It is proven that diversity improves the quality of organisations.

"In other words, an organisation that has black people, women, or LGBT people represented across its structure is a richer organisation, more diverse. However, this hasn't been fully achieved in football yet and most of the times it has to do with prejudices that exist" said UEFA diversity ambassador, Clarence Seedorf.

In football, the campaign is encouraging fans and clubs to 'Cross Out Discrimination' by sharing their support on social media through videos and personalised headers and profile pictures.

KNVB President Michael van Praag said: "The key message is to make sure we address discrimination."

A number of clubs including ADO Den Haag, N.E.C. Nijmegen, Excelsior Rotterdam, AZ Alkmaar, Feyenoord Rotterdam, PSV and FC Emmen have already joined the campaign.

Earlier this year, city councils and businesses were also asked to back the campaign, while informing people of their rights and the issues around discrimination.

The campaign can be followed on social media through the hash tags #voetbalvaniedereen #zeteenstreep

Voetbal is van iedereen. Ga naar https://t.co/JQj9b3wbWS en #zeteenstreep door discriminatie. @Gregorbreinburg ging je al voor! pic.twitter.com/q1YOWiEBPz

— N.E.C. Nijmegen (@NEC_Nijmegen) December 15, 2016

Ook de OranjeLeeuwinnen zetten een streep door discriminatie. #voetbalvaniedereen #zeteenstreep https://t.co/PVu8TKLQOL pic.twitter.com/7vHvqYsyeE

— OranjeLeeuwinnen (@oranjevrouwen) December 15, 2016

Hector Hevel zet een streep door discriminatie, jij ook? https://t.co/6rBJEQ8b7T #zeteenstreep pic.twitter.com/9cEmrJfpdQ

— ADO Den Haag (@ADODenHaag) December 15, 2016

Excelsior Rotterdam zet een streep door discriminatie. Jij ook? https://t.co/ADPHpFeo0a #zeteenstreep #samensterk #excelsiorrdam pic.twitter.com/80DjfFoepk

— Excelsior Rotterdam (@excelsiorrdam) December 15, 2016

Over een uur speelt @AZAlkmaar. Vlaar zet een streep door discriminatie. #voetbalvaniedereen #zeteenstreep https://t.co/WALCC6fh2H #azasw pic.twitter.com/Yg5Fuwd33H

— KNVB (@KNVB) December 14, 2016