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Liverpool the first time to host and event for the LGBT community 

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Liverpool the first time to host and event for the LGBT community 

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Out of 100 cities around the world, Liverpool was voted number 51 most LGBT friendly in 2017. The poll was taken by the gay community in major hubs around the world

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This LGBT History Month will see Liverpool FC introduce its first ever LGBT staff network.

The new LGBT staff network, which forms part of the club's Red Together inclusion strategy, was created to maintain a safe, inclusive and fair environment at the club where everyone can be their true authentic selves.

We caught up with Mark Armario, a senior manager at LFC and member of the LGBT staff network, to find out more about why its work is so important, its ambitions and upcoming activities, as well as the club's wider equality, diversity and inclusion work as part of its Red Together strategy.
Mark, can you explain how the LGBT staff network first came about?
The creation of the group is part of the club's Red Together strategy, which promotes and encourages diversity across the football club to make it as inclusive and welcoming as possible for everyone. One of Red Together's commitments was to create several new colleague networks to allow people to connect across the club, create an internal community and enhance engagement with the wider community and supporter groups.

The network will be actively involved in a number of internal and external events celebrating the LGBT community, including Pride in Liverpool and other events delivered by LCR Pride Foundation, Rainbow Laces, Pride Month and LGBT History Month to build on the great work that the club has been doing.

I'm personally delighted and feel empowered to be a part of it and I'm looking forward to what we can achieve as a network of like-minded individuals.
What activities does the LGBT staff network have coming up?
Although we are a new group, we have already set up a programme of events for our staff. Firstly, we will be joined by Flight Lieutenant Caroline Paige, who made history as the first transgender officer to serve openly in the UK armed forces. This event with Caroline will complement other educational resources we have curated for our colleagues across the club to increase LFC's staff understanding and awareness of the challenges that continue to be faced by the LGBT community.

We will also begin planning our support of Pride Month 2021 as well as our involvement in this year's LCR Pride in Liverpool, which is always a highlight in the club's calendar and one which we are proud to be a part of. There will be more details on this in the months to come. LFC will also have a presence at London Pride for the first time ever in the club's history to demonstrate support for all our London-based colleagues, which is a really exciting addition to our calendar.

Other events that we will also be supporting and celebrating include IDAHOBIT in May, and Stonewall's Rainbow Laces campaign and Trans Day of Remembrance later in the year.
Aside from a busy calendar of events, what is the next for the LGBT staff network and the club's commitment to the LGBT community as part of its Red Together strategy?
In consultation with LFC's LGBT supporters' group, Kop Outs, we will be forming an LGBTQ+ independent advisory group to help us to continue to develop this area of work and inform what we do as an LGBT inclusive football club.

It's fantastic that we already have members of the LGBTQ+ community who have agreed to be part of the group and provide their support, including Steve MacFarlane from the Michael Causer Foundation, Liverpool's LGBT charity set up in Michael's memory; Linda Riley of Diva Mag, Europe's largest magazine for lesbian and bisexual women; and Flight Lieutenant Caroline Paige, who made history as the first transgender officer to serve openly in the UK armed forces. This is another exciting and important project for the club and more members will be announced soon.

For supporters who may not be aware of Red Together, it provides a recognisable platform for all the club's work on and commitment to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion across everything it does.

Some recent highlights include:

In September, LFC maintained its Advanced Level of the Premier League's Equality Standard after being the first Premier League club to achieve the Advanced Level Equality Standard in 2017.

In October, LFC became a founding signatory of the FA's new Football Leadership Diversity Code to help champion equality and diversity across the wider football community to help tackle and address inequalities in the game.

In November 2020, LFC adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's working definition of antisemitism alongside several other Premier League clubs.

For more information on Red Together, please visit https://www.liverpoolfc.com/redtogether.

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Liverpool FC launches new LGBT staff network

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This LGBT History Month will see Liverpool FC introduce its first ever LGBT staff network. The new LGBT staff network, which forms part of the club's Red Together inclusion strategy, was created to maintain a safe, inclusive and fair environment at the club where everyone can be their true authentic selves.

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this was before BLM done by the Premier League

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Through No Room For Racism, the Premier League and its clubs work with fans, the FA, EFL, PFA, Kick It Out and the police to tackle racism on and off the pitch, promoting equality, diversity and inclusion across all areas of football

The Premier League is making it clear there is No Room For Racism as we continue to work with all our clubs, fans, the FA, EFL, PFA, Kick It Out and the police to tackle discrimination across all areas of football.

The League's No Room For Racism campaign demonstrates its continued commitment to equality and diversity, using the power and popularity of the League to oppose racism in football.

Racism is not acceptable in our competition or the wider sport.

Reporting abuse

Everyone attending or taking part in a football match has the right to feel safe, valued and included and we encourage supporters to continue to play their part in this.

If you witness racist or other discriminatory behaviour at a match or around a stadium, please report it to the police or a steward.

You can also report racism by using the Kick It Out reporting app (download the iOS app or Android app) or via Kick It Out's website reporting form.

See: Report racism

What we are doing

Ongoing work includes reviewing how offenders are identified, investigated and sanctioned. Education also takes place through rehabilitation programmes.

Senior stewards have been trained in evidence-gathering at matches through the use of technology, such as increased CCTV coverage at grounds and bodycams, to inhibit offending behaviour and aid the identification of offenders.

The Premier League is also developing additional training for stewards to ensure they are empowered and equipped to deal with discrimination at matches.

Pressure on social media

Football is putting pressure on social media companies to tackle the issue of racism on their platforms.

In addition, the League is working with its BAME Participants' Advisory Group to ensure the views of BAME players and coaches are heard and to help inform ongoing work.

After such consultation, the League launched a dedicated reporting system for players, managers, coaches and their family members who receive serious discriminatory online abuse.

The central rapid response reporting system will enable players, managers and coaches to notify the Premier League of serious discriminatory abuse received via direct messages on social media platforms.

Each case will be reviewed, reported to the relevant social media company, investigated and legal action taken where appropriate.

Making football a welcoming sport

The No Room For Racism campaign sits within the Premier League's general inclusion initiative "This is Everyone's Game".

The Premier League fully supports clubs, Kick It Out and football's other bodies in working together to make football a truly welcoming and inclusive sport.

This includes ensuring that offences can be readily reported and that all available sanctions are used to deter offending and punish those found guilty of racism.

The League will work with clubs and fans - and build upon existing partnerships with the Police, Crown Prosecution Service, stewards and supporter groups - to maintain a consistent approach to racist abuse.

Promoting inclusion

In February 2019, the Premier League and its Clubs discussed enhancing the range of programmes currently run to promote inclusion and diversity across football.

All Clubs agreed that, while good work has been undertaken, more needs to be done to ensure Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) fans and players are supported.

Clubs also backed plans to further improve career pathways to encourage greater diversity in coaching, refereeing and administrative roles within the sport.

As well as nationwide advertising in 2019 featuring Premier League players, managers and supporters, each season two Matchweeks celebrate the campaign, with stadiums across the country displaying the No Room For Racism banner.

The League also gave their support to the players' wishes to have "Black Lives Matter" on their shirts for the remainder of the restarted 2019/20 season, as well as backing players who "take a knee" before or during matches.

In June 2020, the Premier League, Professional Footballers Association (PFA) and EFL launched a coach placement scheme that will provide up to six BAME coaches per season with a 23-month intensive work placement within EFL clubs.

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Through No Room For Racism, the Premier League and its clubs work with fans, the FA, EFL, PFA, Kick It Out and the police to tackle racism on and off the pitch, promoting equality, diversity and inclusion across all areas of football

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show of support for all LGBT people in football and beyond.

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Football has the power to bring us together.

Clubs and communities are stronger when everyone feels welcome, and it's down to all of us to make that happen.

That's why we, the Premier League, proudly stand alongside Stonewall in promoting equality and diversity.

Our clubs came together between 30 November and 5 December to celebrate Stonewall's 2018/19 Rainbow Laces campaign and showed support for all LGBT people in football and beyond.

At all Premier League fixtures across the two Matchweeks there were bespoke Rainbow Laces pitch flags, ball plinths, handshake boards and substitutes boards. There were also see rainbow captain's armbands and rainbow laces.

LED boards at the stadiums also highlighted the campaign and our social media channels featured a rainbow Premier League logo and promoted the campaign.

Each club also highlighted their support for the campaign. Indeed, we ask that all fans support LGBT people in football and beyond by making them feel welcome.

Show your support. Because when we all play our part, we make football everyone's game.

Reporting abuse

As part of creating a welcoming and vibrant atmosphere, we encourage everyone to challenge and report abusive behaviour wherever they find it, in stadiums or online.

But please use official channels and be careful not to put yourself, or others, in harm's way.

There are different ways you can report abusive behaviour, at a match or online:

At a match

If you are affected by an incident, or witness abuse, at a match, where possible it's best to report this at the time so positive action can be taken.

The stewards can provide immediate assistance or are able to contact quickly the stadium control room, which is staffed by senior safety officials and the Police.

Stewards, who can be clearly identified by their fluorescent jackets, are located at the front or rear of seating blocks, by the entrances to stands and stairwells.

Some stadiums also offer a reporting phone or text line. These details will be advertised in and around the stadium, on club websites and in match programmes.

Online

The Premier League partners with Kick It Out, football's foremost equality organisation.

You can submit information on incidents at matchdays or online using Kick It Out's Report It! app (download the iOS app or Android app).

Or you can use Kick It Out's website reporting form.

Details are always passed directly to clubs or the relevant body for further investigation.

Also in this series

Part 2: Rainbow Laces: Natasha's story
Part 3: Rainbow Laces: John's story
Part 4: Rainbow Laces: Zanka's story
Part 5: Rainbow Laces: Callum's story

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Read all about Stonewall's award-winning Rainbow Laces campaign, for LGBT equality in sport. Involving more than 20 associations including the Premier League. For more information, including practical tips everyone can take part in, visit the official website of the Premier League.

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“We will not stand for it in our grounds and we will continue to work with our clubs and the authorities to make sure players, managers, their families and others do not have to experience online hate.”

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The Premier League has launched the latest stage of the 'No Room For Racism' campaign to remind fans that those found guilty of racist abuse will be banned from stadiums across the nation.

The campaign from FCB Inferno will run during matches taking place between October 16-24, urging fans to challenge and report discriminatory behavior, highlighting their role in keeping it out of the beautiful game.

The campaign will be seen across match grounds, as well as on TV and social media. Watch it here.

Premier League chief executive Richard Masters said: "The Premier League and our clubs are fully committed to fighting racism. Unfortunately, we are reminded far too frequently that there is more to be done. We will do all we can to ensure action is taken, making it clear there is no place for racial prejudice in football and wider society.

"We will not stand for it in our grounds and we will continue to work with our clubs and the authorities to make sure players, managers, their families and others do not have to experience online hate."

The new education resources, which will join an existing library of 'No Room For Racism' teaching materials, feature players participating in open discussions with young people involved in club community programmes including Joel Matip (Liverpool FC), Christian Kabasele (Watford FC) and Nathan Ferguson (Crystal Palace FC).

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Premier League takes 'No Room For Racism' campaign to next level

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The Premier League has launched the latest stage of the 'No Room For Racism' campaign to remind fans that those found guilty of racist abuse will be banned from stadiums across the nation. The campaign from FCB Inferno will run during matches taking place between October 16-24, urging fans to challenge and report discriminatory behavior, highlighting their role in keeping it out of the beautiful game.

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“We and our clubs play an important role in encouraging people to support the LGBTQ+ community,”

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For money game player and refs would take a knee before kick off 

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Support Black Lives Matter in the Premier League

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Support Black Lives Matter in the Premier League

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Each jersey was signed by the players after the game and is being auctioned off by LFC Foundation to raise money to help the Ukrainian people access vital supplies of food, water, first aid, medicines, warm clothes and shelter.

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By Kobe Tong

Liverpool and West Ham United joined the rest of the Premier League in showing their solidarity with Ukraine during this weekend's fixtures.

The organisers of England's top-flight revealed earlier in the week that the latest round of games would see clubs and fans stand together with Ukraine in light of the ongoing invasion by Russia.

An official statement from the competition read: "The Premier League and our clubs wholeheartedly reject Russia's actions and will be showing support for the people of Ukraine at all matches this weekend.

Show of support for Ukraine

"We call for peace and our thoughts are with all those who have been impacted. A show of solidarity for Ukraine will be visible at all Premier League matches from Saturday 5 to Monday 7 March. This follows the numerous ways in which clubs have already demonstrated their support."

The Premier League went on to explain that the 20 club captains would wear special armbands in the yellow and blue of the Ukrainian flag with players, staff and officials partaking in a pre-match moment of reflection.

And that was exactly what happened during Saturday's late kick-off when West Ham made the trip to Anfield, joining their Liverpool rivals in coming together in a show of support for Ukraine.

With the message of "Football Stands Together" laid upon the Ukrainian flag displayed on the big screens Liverpool's home, the respective players joined together in the centre circle before kick-off.

Liverpool 2-1 Norwich Match Reaction (Football Terrace)

Fans break out into YNWA

The Anfield announcer proceeded to encourage fans to partake in the moment of solidarity before calling for peace and starting a collective round of applause similar to what was seen at other Premier League grounds.

However, what made the demonstration of support at Anfield unique was that it saw a rendition of 'You'll Never Walk Alone', which has so often been a powerful anthem for Kopites before home matches.

And video footage has shown the moment that fans around Anfield broke out into the iconic song during the Ukraine tribute in a gesture that gave the rendition an entirely new level of poignance. Watch it below:

Liverpool fans sing You'll Never Walk Alone as Anfield comes together to show their support for Ukraine pic.twitter.com/8pyC8AtGQV
- FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) March 5, 2022

Liverpool fans, and no doubt many West Ham supporters too, made the message of 'You'll Never Walk' alone very clear amidst the Ukraine crisis.

A powerful anthem at Anfield

The song so often heard around the terraces on Merseyside and popularised by local band Gerry and the Pacemakers has taken on many meaningful and powerful guises over the years for Liverpool fans.

It has, after all, become a staple of every Reds match on their hallowed turf and a cause for truly moving and touching moments for countless fans often for reasons entirely personal and special to them.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Liverpool v West Ham United - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - March 5, 2022 Liverpool fan displays a banner in support of Ukraine amid Russia's invasion before the match REUTERS/Phil Noble EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club /league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.

And no doubt the declaration of 'You'll Never Walk Alone' in such a worrying time as the present will feel incredibly affecting to a very many people when football can't help but feel woefully unimportant.

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Powerful scenes at Anfield as fans break out into 'You'll Never Walk Alone' during Ukraine tribute

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By Kobe Tong Liverpool and West Ham United joined the rest of the Premier League in showing their solidarity with Ukraine during this weekend's fixtures. The organisers of England's top-flight revealed earlier in the week that the latest round of games would see clubs and fans stand together with Ukraine in light of the ongoing invasion by Russia.

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Premier League: Manchester City and Everton fans were united before the match to show their support for Ukraine. Ukraine's Zinchenko was moved by this gesture and was in tears. Watch the video below

Premier League: Things got emotional before the start of the Premier League game between Manchester City and Everton on Saturday. Fans of both teams rose and showed their support for Ukraine.

Oleksandr Zinchenko, the Manchester City defender was visibly in tears as he got emotional looking at the support from the English fans, away from Ukraine. The fans gave Zinchenko heartfelt applause and reception at the Goodison Park in Liverpool in the build-up to the Premier League match between City and Everton.
Take a look at the video here:

Ukrainian footballer Zinchenko brought to tears as Everton and Man City players show support for Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/qxvHoItDxz
- Richard Chambers (@newschambers) February 26, 2022

The Manchester City players lined up for the match wearing t-shirts displaying the blue and yellow flag of Ukraine, with a message: "No War", while the Everton players wrapped Ukraine's flag around before the match began.
Zinchenko also met with fellow Ukrainian Vitaliy Mykolenko before the match began:
Ukraine is shaken by the unprecedented attack on its soil by Russia. UN reported 240 civil casualties as of Sunday morning amid the Russian invasion. Watching such a response from the English fans made Zinchenko emotional and couldn't control his tears.

Eventually, Manchester City won the match by 0-1 and maintained their top position in the league.

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WATCH: Footballer Zinchenko In Tears As Manchester City & Everton Fans Show Support For Ukraine

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Premier League: Things got emotional before the start of the Premier League game between Manchester City and Everton on Saturday. Fans of both teams rose and showed their support for Ukraine. Oleksandr Zinchenko, the Manchester City defender was visibly in tears as he got emotional looking at the support from the English fans, away from Ukraine.

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Man United and Man City show their support 

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Man United and Man City show their support 

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Manchester United and Manchester City players wore 'no war' t-shirts to support Ukraine before the Manchester derby.

United take on City at the Etihad on Sunday afternoon in the second Manchester derby of the season. The build-up to the match has naturally made headlines but the war in Ukraine is the story that's dominated news bulletins this week.

Football has responded to Russia's invasion of Ukraine with gestures of solidarity and United and City continued that trend by wearing 'no to war' t-shirts before Sunday's match. There was also a minute applause to show support before kick-off.

ALSO READ: Man City vs Manchester United LIVE score and goal updates from Manchester derby.

The north stand at the Etihad revealed a banner for Ukraine in addition to the gestures from the players on the pitch. City's Oleksandr Zinchenko is from Ukraine and he spoke out against Russia's invasion this week.

"'A security operation? Impossible. This is a real war. What they are doing is not acceptable," Zinchenko told the BBC.

"We need to stop this. People there are sending me facts... they are starving.

"People are just surviving, sleeping underground and in bunkers.' I'll be honest: if not for my daughter, my family, I would be there."
Sign up to our United newsletter so you never miss an update from Old Trafford this season. Catch up on all the latest United headlines in our United section

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Man United and Man City show support for Ukraine before Manchester derby

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Manchester United and Manchester City players wore 'no war' t-shirts to support Ukraine before the Manchester derby. United take on City at the Etihad on Sunday afternoon in the second Manchester derby of the season. The build-up to the match has naturally made headlines but the war in Ukraine is the story that's dominated news bulletins this week.

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Arsenal have announced the creation of their first supporters club in Ukraine, in solidarity with those affected by the ongoing Russian invasion.

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Arsenal have announced the creation of their first supporters club in Ukraine, in solidarity with those affected by the ongoing Russian invasion.

Ukraine has attracted tributes and admiration from across the world since the conflict with its neighbour began.

As well as the supporters club, the Gunners are planning a number of charitable initiatives to help send humanitarian aid.

What was said?

"We believe that in times of immense difficulty, there is strength in unity. That's why, after a suggestion from fans, we're launching the Arsenal Ukraine Supporters' Club and encouraging our fans from around the world to join in solidarity," the club explained in a statement published on its official website.

"We've also been in discussions with our global charity partner, Save the Children, to better understand the heartbreaking situation and where support is most needed.

🇺🇦 Stand with Ukraine

🔵 Be part of our new Ukraine Supporters' Club
🟡 Join us in donating to @savechildrenuk

Learn more about how you can help here 👇
- Arsenal (@Arsenal) March 11, 2022

"We've all learnt that the conflict in Ukraine is forcing children and families into basements and bomb shelters to escape explosions. Many families are being forced to flee their homes and cross into nearby countries with minimal possessions. They need help with shelter, food, and the most basic human necessities.

"As a club, we have donated to Save the Children's DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal, and we're asking our supporters around the world to donate what they can when they join our newly formed Arsenal Ukraine Supporters' Club."

Further reading

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Arsenal create first ever Ukraine supporters' club following Russia invasion | Goal.com

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Arsenal have announced the creation of their first supporters club in Ukraine, in solidarity with those affected by the ongoing Russian invasion. Ukraine has attracted tributes and admiration from across the world since the conflict with its neighbour began. As well as the supporters club, the Gunners are planning a number of charitable initiatives to help send humanitarian aid.

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Chelsea stars take the knee in support of Black Lives Matter movement - in pictures

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Skipper Cesar Azpilicueta says: ‘We want the future to be a better world with more love, without hate’

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Premier League footballers are to continue their support for anti-racism on the pitch but will no longer be associated with Black Lives Matter.

When the 2020-21 season begins on Saturday, players will take the knee before kick-off and will carry the slogan No Room For Racism on their shirts but there will be no mention of the movement that has brought the subject of racial justice to the fore in the US and beyond after it caused controversy for the league earlier this year.

During the restart that followed the suspension of football owing to the coronavirus pandemic, players wore badges endorsing Black Lives Matter for all nine match days. A gesture of solidarity with protests in the US, the UK and elsewhere following the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police, it was a move universally approved by the players but also, unusually, supported by the Premier League.

Policies supported by the organisation of the same name, including the defunding of police forces, subsequently proved uncomfortable for the league. The chief executive, Richard Masters, was forced to justify the endorsement in front of a DCMS select committee and told MPs: "We're drawing a clear distinction between a moral cause and a political movement."

At that session Masters said the move had not sent a precedent but, after a meeting with the league's club captains, players will now wear badges once more. The league says the initiative "will build on the momentum created last season".

"We, our clubs, players and match officials have a long-standing commitment to tackling discrimination," Masters said in a statement.

"Players rightly have a strong voice on this matter, which we saw last season. We have continued to talk and listen to players on this issue and will support them as well as continuing to emphasise the Premier League's position against racism."

No Room for Racism is a campaign run by the Premier League with the support of other English footballing bodies and the anti-discrimination group Kick It Out. Launched in 2019, its aim is to eliminate racial discrimination from the sport both in stadiums and online.

"Discrimination in any form, anywhere, is wholly unacceptable and No Room For Racism makes our zero-tolerance stance clear," Masters said. "We will not stand still on this important issue and we will continue to work with our clubs, players and partners to address all prejudiced behaviour."

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Premier League drops Black Lives Matter badge from shirts for own campaign

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Premier League footballers are to continue their support for anti-racism on the pitch but will no longer be associated with Black Lives Matter.

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How Premier League clubs supported Ukraine in MW28

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All Premier League matches featured shows of solidarity for Ukraine