FA anti-homophobia film premiere postponed

Friday 5 Feb 2010
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The Football Association has cancelled the premiere of a short video aimed at tackling homophobia in the sport.

The premiere was due to take place on Thursday 11th February with a special event at Wembley Stadium, organised by the FA and Kick It Out.

But yesterday, the FA cancelled the event, saying they needed more time to work on the project. A new date has not been set.

The film, in the form of a 90-second advert, had been hailed as “groundbreaking” after a Stonewall report found that homophobia was prevalent in the sport.

There are still no out gay top-level footballers and the only one ever to have come out, Justin Fashanu, was subjected to bullying and later committed suicide.

Gay charity Stonewall, campaigner Peter Tatchell and the Gay Football Supporters Network were just three of a host of gay organisations and individuals who were consulted over the project.

A spokesman said: “Stonewall believes that the ads have the potential to be hard-hitting and effective.

“We hope the time of this postponement will be used to strengthen the urgent intervention needed of homophobia in football.”

A cancellation note said that the FA said it had “decided to take some more time to strengthen our strategy in this area of work”.

It added that the organisation would work with the Advisory Group on Tackling Homophobia and test the film with “broader audiences”.

An FA spokesman said: “After consultation with our Tackling Homophobia Working Group we have now produced a viral film which will form part of our overall strategy.

“We will now enter a final stage of consultation and will shortly be in a position to announce the next stage of the strategy, including the launch of the educational film.”

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Ffion Eade, Hampshire FA referee
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Kelly Smith, England Women's record goalscorer
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Rachel Yankey, former Arsenal Ladies forward
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Rimla Akhtar, Kick It Out trustee and Chair of the Muslim Women’s Sports Foundation
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Joe Jacobson, Wycombe Wanderers midfielder
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