The Importance of All-In & Win and Inclusive Sports

The Importance of All-In & Win and Inclusive Sports

Participation in sport is a human right and everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy its physical, social & mental health benefits regardless of their sex, sexual orientation or gender identity. Discrimination based on sexual orientation contradicts the European Convention on Human Rights, which firmly opposes all forms of discrimination, as well as European policies emphasize zero tolerance for discrimination in sports and access to sports facilities. Furthermore, the Council of Europe urges actions against discrimination, including making homophobic behaviour an offence, adapting UEFA’s Ten Point Plan, and launching campaigns against homophobia. However, despite these efforts, some minorities still face exclusion from sports. Recent findings from the Eurobarometer on Discrimination reveal concerning levels of discrimination against the LGBTI+ community in the EU, indicating an ongoing battle. Notably, various football clubs have taken initiatives in the past weeks and months to combat this issue.

All-In & Win

All-in & Win is a project with the ambition of increasing knowledge & awareness to recognize discrimination in grassroots sports towards members of the LGBT+ community. Together with two academic institutions, the John Blankenstein Foundation and multiple hockey & football national associations, we aim for the acceptance of LGBTQ+ and creating a safe & inclusive sport climate for people who identify themselves within the LGBTQ+ label. 

Participation in sports is a human right and everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy its physical, social and mental health benefits regardless of their sex, sexual orientation or gender identity. Unfortunately, too many athletes experience discriminatory behaviour and intolerance in sport. As a consequence, too many people are not willing to come out because they are afraid of the responses in their sport environment.  

Recent FC Initiatives Towards Inclusive Sports

With Pride Month marking its time throughout June, a number of EFDN member clubs have participated in various initiatives and projects related to inclusive sports, combatting homophobia and discrimination, etc. Here are a few:

Svensk Elitfotboll participated in the Pride Parade on Saturday 5th of August, together with the rest of Swedish football and the sports movement. Svensk Elitfotboll works actively with its core values, where everyone’s equal value and the UN’s global goals for sustainable development play a central role. So do the 32 member clubs in Allsvenskan and Superettan. Two of the clubs that are LGBTQ certified are IK Sirius and IF Brommapojkarna. The diploma means that the organisation has undergone a training course in which a plan has been developed for the organisation to deal with issues relating to norms linked to gender, gender identity and sexual orientation.

“We are here to stand up for everyone’s equal value and at the same time show that we work for a football where everyone is welcome.”

Beatrice Clarke, Head of Sustainability at Svensk Elitfotboll

Together with the KBVB, the Pro League has called on clubs, players, trainers, referees, supporters, … to nominate projects that work against discrimination or promote diversity. With the Come Together Awards – named after the Come Together action plan which was launched in 2021 and aims to eliminate discrimination, racism, homophobia and other forms of inequality from football fields and stadiums; the Pro League and partners want to highlight clubs that fight against these societal issues. They are calling for projects to be nominated, whether carried out in provincial series or pro football, individually or group initiatives.

Anouk Bonte and Gregory Franck are members of KBVB’s Diversity Board, consisting of experts who are regularly consulted on diversity and inclusion. Anouk works as an expert on gender and inclusion at the Belgian government. She believes in the power of football to strengthen social ties between people from different communities. Gregory works as a mandatary for the Brussels government and specialises, among other things, in labour integration. He hopes to highlight the work of many volunteers in clubs through the Come Together Awards.

“Too many people still think that diversity in football clubs brings difficult challenges, but above all it enriches the lives of our children. In football clubs, they learn things that you don’t learn in school, norms and values that they carry with them for the rest of their lives. Clubs committed to greater diversity and inclusion therefore deserve our support and encouragement.”

Mbo Mpenza, jury president

Next, the Dutch FA stands up against ‘homophobic’ chants. As of next season, the Dutch FA (KNVB) will take action in football stadiums if visitors use the word ‘gay’ as a swear word for a player or referee, for example, in chants.

“Football is for everyone and from everyone. That does not include proclamations in which the word gay is used as a swear word. Together we have drawn that line. The steps we now take will be evaluated to see if they produce the desired result.”

Marianne van Leeuwen, director of professional football at KNVB

At the general meeting of professional football organisations (AVBV) on June 27, delegates of the clubs turned out to be unanimous: all clubs want to get rid of ‘homophobic’ supporters’ chants. From the start of season 2023/’24, when ‘homophobic’ chants are directed at an individual, if they are massive, repetitive and/or prolonged, the stadium speaker will first warn the perpetrators. If they continue after two such messages, the match will be temporarily stopped. Perpetrators will be tracked down and given a stadium ban of up to 18 months. The AVBV will evaluate the approach after the 2023/’24 season and further agreements will be made based on this. These measures are part of the overall approach to jointly keep football accessible, hospitable, and safe for all.

Last but not least, Juventus‘ commitment to fight homophobia and more generally, to fight to achieve inclusiveness and against all discrimination, has received yet more important recognition.

On Saturday 1 July, Juventus received an award from Arcigay, which attests to the importance of concrete and structured programs such as More Colourful Together which, on the occasion of Valentine’s Day 2023, launched a further message by telling the stories of Manuel and Thessa, Linda and Lisa, Cecilia and Marco. A hymn to love without distinction, for a world where anyone is free to love, universally and unconditionally – “Celebrate Love With Pride”.

The award identifies the following categories: Sports journalist, athlete, sports team and fans and outdoors who said or acted in favour of LGBTQIA+ civil rights in sports. For Juventus, this recognition represents all the values they believe in, in defence of rights, against any manifestation of discrimination, with the hope of being able to overcome daily barriers and prejudices that still hinder some individuals’ freedom today.

All-In & Win Aims

Exercise and sport are increasingly seen as an important tool for health and wellbeing, as well as for solving social problems, such as loneliness, health and the integration of “vulnerable groups”. Unfortunately, participation in sport and fun in sport is not a given for everyone. Consequently, a part of the European population does not exercise or stops exercising. All-in&Win fights discrimination and wants to work for a safe and inclusive sports climate in which everyone:

• Enjoys participating in sports
• Feels welcome
• Is part of it
• Is accepted
• Is not excluded
• Can make his / her own sports choices