THE FOOTBALL WORLD DRAWS ATTENTION TO LGBTQ+ ACCEPTANCE THIS WEEKEND

THE FOOTBALL WORLD DRAWS ATTENTION TO LGBTQ+ ACCEPTANCE THIS WEEKEND

This weekend, all matches in the Eredivisie and the Keuken Kampioen Divisie will be dedicated to a broader LGBTQ+ acceptance. All 38 clubs are committed to the message that everyone is welcome, should be able to be themselves, and that no one should be excluded.

On the weekend of 15, 16 and 17 October – the weekend after International Coming Out Day – all clubs in the Eredivisie, Keuken Kampioen Divisie, Pure Energie Eredivisie Women, Eredivisie Zaalvoetbal men, and women will wear OneLove captain’s badges, special corner flags and special pins and kits.

Unfortunately, this message, which is taken for granted by many, is still relevant and necessary, according to the Keuken Kampioen Divisie and the Eredivisie CV.

The Mulier Institute’s research (2021) among players shows that the general acceptance of homo- and bisexuality in football scores an insufficient level (4.6), which is comparable to the results from 2014. This is the fifth year in a row that we have made a joint commitment to LGBT+ acceptance and unfortunately, this is still needed. With over 8 million fans, from all corners of the country, professional football is a unique platform to put the issue on the agenda and ensure change. Football belongs to everyone and therefore we are committed to an environment where everyone feels at home,” said Aukje Geubbels, CSR manager Eredivisie CV.

Wesley Montijn, press officer Keuken Kampioen Divisie, adds: This Friday Telstar and FC Volendam will have a world premiere because both teams will play in a specially designed rainbow shirt. A beautiful and unique initiative that deserves all the compliments. It is the first time in history that this happens and it is significant that clubs go to such lengths to draw attention to this theme. As the biggest sport in the country, football wants to take its responsibility to maximise LGBTQ+ acceptance.”

Actions on and off the pitch
On the weekend of 15, 16, 17 October the following actions will take place:

• The captains of all teams will play with the special ‘#OneLove’ captain’s armband. #OneLove is the campaign for connection and is part of the joint attack plan against discrimination, ‘Our football belongs to everyone’;
• All home clubs fly rainbow corner flags;
• All coaches and (assistant) referees wear rainbow pins;
• ESPN pays attention to the theme in their broadcasts, by showing special microphones, pins and other expressions;
• Telstar and FC Volendam will have a world first this Friday, as both teams will play the ‘Vissersderby’ in a specially designed rainbow jersey. It is the first time in history that two teams meet in a rainbow shirt.

The campaign, which has been organised around International Coming Out Day since 2017, is an initiative of the Alliantie Gelijkspelen (John Blankenstein Foundation, NOC*NSF, KNVB and KNHB) in collaboration with the Eredivisie CV, Keuken Kampioen Divisie, Pure Energie Eredivisie Women, Eredivisie Indoor Football Men, Eredivisie Indoor Football Women, VVCS, CBV and ESPN.

Broader approach than only professional football
Amateur football and other sports will also participate. Sports associations and clubs will call on their members to wear a special captain’s armband on Coming Out Day.

#DiversityWins

EFDN by their anti-racism and anti-discrimination programme Show Racism the Red Card try to emphasise on a daily base the importance of social inclusion by using the #Diversity Wins.