Representatives of 27 LGBT fan groups from Germany, England, Switzerland and the Netherlands will gather this weekend in Cologne, Germany, to explore the impact of discriminatory political policies in football.[/intro_paragraph]

The conference, organised by an LGBT group of FC Köln, will take place from 10-12 January and is the first of two annual meetings of the Fare member Queer Football Fanclubs (QFF).

Through workshops and panel discussions, the initiative will focus on topics such as the Russian anti-gay bill, the condemnation of LGBT people in Qatar and the criminalisation of football fans.

Following the coming out of the former German international Thomas Hitzlsperger, the topics around homophobia in professional sports and fans’ support to gay players will also be approached.

“The meeting in Cologne is set to send out a clear message against discriminatory behaviour in football stadiums. As a network of European LGBT football supporters, we expect strong action when someone is being abused whether on grounds of their sexual orientation or otherwise. Homophobia is not a petty crime”, said the representative of QFF Volker Adanek.

The event will be held at FC Köln’s stadium.

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