More than 60 per cent of LGBT footballs fans have experience anti-LGBT language or behaviour last season
The results also found a reluctance among fans to report the homophobic incidents
By Steve Brown
More than 60 per cent of LGBT football fans have experienced homophobic language or behaviour during last season.
The ‘LGBT+ End of Season Survey’ – which was commissioned by the Football v Homophobia campaign and the supporters group Pride in Football – found that 63 per cent of LGBT fans have experienced of incidents of physical and verbal abuse, homophobic or transphobic chanting or comments from other fans.
It also found that LGBT fans – both home and away – are reluctant to report the homophobic incidents.
Around 65 per cent of fans at home games and 72 per cent of fans at away games had not reported homophobic or transphobic chanting, Sky Sports reported.
Lou Englefield, Football v Homophobia’s campaign director, said: “LGBT+ football fans pay the same amount to support their team as everyone else and yet too many of them are experiencing or witnessing abuse on a matchday.
“There is still work to be done to educate fans on the impact of their language. We need support for this work.”
Chris Paouros, the co-chair of Pride in Football, said: “We can’t underestimate the power of LGBT+ fan groups.
“Football is about belonging and for too long, LGBT+ fans haven’t felt part of the football family.
“Even if you’re not part of your club’s fan group, knowing it’s there and that your club actively welcomes you makes a huge difference.”