Eredivisie once again draws attention to LGBTIQ+ acceptance
This weekend, all matches in the Eredivisie and the Kitchen Champion Division will be dominated by wider LGBTIQ+ acceptance. All clubs are committed to the message that everyone is welcome, should be able to be themselves and that no one should be excluded.
At the initiative of the Association of Contract Players (VVCS) and the John Blankenstein Foundation, all captains in the Eredivisie and the Kitchen Champion Division will wear a rainbow band instead of the traditional captain’s band this weekend.
This is done to support fellow football players, referees, supporters, volunteers and many others within football who struggle with their own identity and to contribute to awareness of making diversity a topic for discussion. Football should be for everyone, regardless of cultural background, skin color, race, sexual preference or religion. Everyone should enjoy participating in their favorite sport, whoever you are and whatever your background.
Players, trainers, referees and reporters
The clubs support the message with a joint statement on social media. In addition, all coaches, referees and ESPN hosts will wear special rainbow pins and ESPN will use special rainbow microphones for the occasion.
The action with the rainbow tires takes place for the sixth year in a row. This year the noise for widespread adoption by everyone in the football world gets even louder, with the involvement of coaches, umpires, clubs and ESPN. We show and hear from every angle that football belongs to everyone.
ESPN Allies
This Tuesday, on International Coming-Out Day, ESPN is launching a special documentary: ESPN Allies. ESPN Allies tells the story of the champions of a new football world. A football world where everyone feels at home.
Club Workshops
In addition to this statement, work is also being done in other ways on wider LGBTI+ acceptance in football. The John Blankenstein Foundation (JBF) has been involved since 2008 in discussing and working towards equal treatment of LGBTI+ in professional and amateur sports. The main pillar of the JBF are workshops that are offered to player teams, staff, coaches, captains, board and management and supporters.
