International fans conference calls for urgent action on Russia
The continuing situation in Russia where laws restrict the rights of the LGBT community, and the impact they will have on international sporting events, was the subject of a call for urgent action at the first ever international football fans conference on homophobia last weekend (17 August).
Governments, human rights institutions and sports governing bodies were asked to take action to ensure the safety of LGBT competitors and supporters for both the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics and the FIFA 2018 World Cup.
Over 130 people from 29 countries came together in Manchester for the Football Fans v Homophobia conference which featured speakers from supporter groups, activists from the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community, NGO’s and European governing body UEFA.
Workshops on innovative campaigning techniques, LGBT football fan clubs, making football inclusive of transgender people and international campaigns were well attended. The sessions will be featured in a conference report which will include a manifesto for future campaigning activities.
The conference was organised by the Fare network and the UK- based Football v Homophobia (FvH) campaign.
Lou Englefield from FvH commented, “The LGBT community has a large contingent of football supporters whose views on homophobia and their place within sport will form part of our action plan going forward.
“From the perspective of LGBT communities the situation in Russia is a critical one. If sport really is a means of social solidarity international sporting bodies must use their lobbying power to make clear that abuse of the human rights of any community is incompatible with the values of sport.”
Latest News Articles

Another season of homophobia and ineffective responses in France
Why is homophobia such a persistent issue in French football? It’s a question on the minds of a growing number of people. Despite initiatives…

Five years after George Floyd
Five years ago this week George Floyd was murdered in Minneapolis.

Statement from the Fare network on the English FA and Scottish FA bans on trans women
The Fare network is disappointed at the decisions announced today by the English Football Association (FA) and the Scottish FA (SFA) to ban…

BLOG: Rafael Villanueva on challenging homophobic football culture in Mexico
“Poll after poll of the population shows the disregard most Mexicans have towards the LGBTIQ+ community. Homophobia is normalised from abuse, to human rights violations, to murder.”

Policy and Research Intern – Human Rights and World Cup 2026
Time Commitment: 3–4 days per week Duration: 6-8 weeks Overview We are seeking a motivated and highly literate intern to support our work on issues…

Bologna hosts the radical joy of the Giochi Antiracist Games this June
The Bonori sports centre in Bologna will become the vibrant heart of something different when between June 20th and 22nd the Giochi Antirazzisti takes…

Another season of homophobia and ineffective responses in France
Why is homophobia such a persistent issue in French football? It’s a question on the minds of a growing number of people. Despite initiatives…

Five years after George Floyd
Five years ago this week George Floyd was murdered in Minneapolis.

Statement from the Fare network on the English FA and Scottish FA bans on trans women
The Fare network is disappointed at the decisions announced today by the English Football Association (FA) and the Scottish FA (SFA) to ban…

BLOG: Rafael Villanueva on challenging homophobic football culture in Mexico
“Poll after poll of the population shows the disregard most Mexicans have towards the LGBTIQ+ community. Homophobia is normalised from abuse, to human rights violations, to murder.”

Policy and Research Intern – Human Rights and World Cup 2026
Time Commitment: 3–4 days per week Duration: 6-8 weeks Overview We are seeking a motivated and highly literate intern to support our work on issues…

Bologna hosts the radical joy of the Giochi Antiracist Games this June
The Bonori sports centre in Bologna will become the vibrant heart of something different when between June 20th and 22nd the Giochi Antirazzisti takes…

Another season of homophobia and ineffective responses in France
Why is homophobia such a persistent issue in French football? It’s a question on the minds of a growing number of people. Despite initiatives…

Five years after George Floyd
Five years ago this week George Floyd was murdered in Minneapolis.