The FA's

The “Football v Homophobia” campaign hoping to limit abuse in London football may face a harder task, after on-field actions by a few Premier League players sparked controversy. 

The London FA is asking grassroots clubs to designate one matchday in February to the cause, in exchange for free leaflets and a discounted captain’s armband.

The initiative comes after a 2024 YouGov poll showed that 45% of British fans believe that homophobia is not a widespread issue in football.

Recent controversy surrounding LGBTQIA+ rights in football was fuelled by Crystal Palace skipper Marc Guehi. The England international wrote “I Love Jesus” and “Jesus Loves You” across his rainbow captain’s armband during two different Premier League matches in December.

Proud for Palace, a queer supporters group, say that his decision has “caused a lot of discussion” and that they had “asked the club for a meeting to better understand his intent”.

Former academy player Gus Steele has seen homophobic attitudes in football first hand. He suggested there may be a link between professionals’ actions and attitudes towards LGBTQIA+ issues at the grassroots level.

‘Allowing players like Marc Guehi to not wear the armband is allowing space for players to say, “You can be gay, but I can be homophobic.”’

His faith in the campaign is in short supply, saying the London FA has done little to restrict discrimination.

“Homophobia is so institutionalised in the game that professionals have a massive effect on [the grassroots level] – it felt like to reach the top of football you have to sacrifice your moral compass.”

“I wore rainbow laces one time… you could audibly hear homophobic abuse and there was nothing done about it… the guy from the FA who was there said he couldn’t hear a thing, even though it was very very obvious,” Steele said.

“The FA’s processes mean that the onus is put on you. I don’t think they actually care… I think it’s just a ticked box for them.”

The London FA has not yet responded to our request for comment.

Grassroots environment can play a role

Steele felt his football career was in jeopardy due to a discriminatory environment at the grassroots level.

“I had a really bad injury when I was 18… but I only thought ‘I don’t have to deal with this anymore’ – I didn’t miss football.”

“I thought – ‘I’m not going back to playing football for the sake of playing football with d*ckheads.’”

But Gus has been able to fall back in love with the game. He joined Clapton Community FC, a fully fan-owned team in East London who support the FA’s campaign, discovering that tolerant spaces do exist within football.

“It made such a difference to me to be able to play with like minded people – some of the people you play against are [homophobic] but you feel protected by the people you play with who aren’t.”

“Clubs like Clapton who make their stance known is a more powerful gesture than any Rainbow Laces campaign.”

21 grassroots clubs in Greater London have designated a specific matchday this month, against homophobia, in line with the London FA’s initiative.

Whether there will be further controversy at London’s professional level of the game remains an open question.