Thursday 21 February 2013

Irons lead Football v Homophobia campaign

West Ham have carried on their good work for equal rights in football done last year, when they became one of the first professional clubs in Europe to back the Football v Homophobia campaign by supporting the campaign once again.

Led by captain Kevin Nolan, the Hammers donned t shirts bearing the campaign's message during training at Chadwell Heath this week and showed total solidarity with the campaign, which aims to take action against discrimination and prejudice based on sexuality or gender identity in football, and to celebrate and welcome diversity in the game.

The backing for FvH by the club comes just days after former Leeds United and USA international Robbie Rogers came out as gay and stated his intentions to "step back from football," and in doing so, became only the third professional footballer ever to do so, following in the footsteps of former England U21 international Justin Fashanu and Swedish lower league player Anton Hysen, son of former Liverpool defender Glenn Hysen, so the support for the campaign by West Ham could not be any better timed.

Irons skipper Nolan stated the importance that the club back the campaign, telling whufc.com that "we as footballers are role models and we've got to show that we respect all members of society and show that we're open minded. If someone came to me and told me- or any of the lads- that they were gay, it wouldn't change my view of them one iota, and that's the only way it can be, so it's a vital message to push."

This month has seen a period of action, with an international show of unity with the campaign and FvH director Megan Worthing-Davies praised the club, saying that "in order to effectively challenge homophobia and transphobia in football, it is imperative that players support the message of FvH and we are delighted to see West Ham once again leading the way against discrimination- well done, lads!" Well done lads indeed- it's great to see the club backing this campaign and hopefully it will have some real impact on eliminating mindless prejudice in the game.

By Alex Shilling

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