FOOTBALL chiefs in Scotland, along with a number of clubs, have signed up to a charity campaign to show their support for LGBT equality.
The Scottish Football Association (SFA) and Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) are among the organisations backing Stonewall Scotland’s Rainbow Laces campaign this year.
It aims to make sport more inclusive for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) fans and players by raising awareness of anti-LGBT abuse.
Research carried out last year found 72 per cent of football fans have heard anti-LGBT remarks at games over the last five years, Stonewall said.
The Scottish clubs signed up to the project have not yet been named but the charity said “major” outfits are involved.
The campaign will run for a week from next Friday and will see clubs and players show their support in a number of ways, including by wearing rainbow laces during matches.
The rainbow is a widely recognised symbol of LGBT pride.
SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster said: “We believe every- one should feel welcome and included at football matches, whether they are playing or spectating.
“There is no place in sport for discrimination of any kind and we hope this campaign will lead to greater levels of tolerance and understanding.”
An SFA spokesman said: “We are proud to support the Stonewall Rainbow Laces campaign and are committed to continuing our work with equality partners to understand and address any real or perceived barriers and challenges in the game to ensure that football in Scotland is inclusive and open to all.”
Colin Macfarlane, director of Stonewall Scotland, said: “Support from organisations such as the SPFL, SFA and major clubs is critical in making sport inclusive for lesbian, gay, bi and trans fans and players.
“At the moment, many LGBT people want to take part in sport, either as players or fans, but the abuse and hate from a minority of other supporters can make them feel unsafe, unwelcome or unable to be themselves.”
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