For All
Football is for everyone; that’s one of our core beliefs at the Brighton & Hove Albion Foundation and BHAFC.
It belongs to, and should be enjoyed by, anyone and everyone who loves the game. There should be no barriers for anyone, from any background.
We celebrate and value the diversity brought by our coaches, participants, and players who come from a variety of backgrounds. Everyone should be treated with respect and dignity, free from discrimination, harassment, and abuse.
Why it’s important to us
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 promote equality and diversity. Discrimination is not acceptable, not online, not in the stands, not at home and not on the streets.
We all must come together as fans, as players and as clubs to combat discrimination wherever it exists in society. Show your support. Because when we all play our part, we make football everyone’s game. Read below to see some of our equality priorities.
Race and ethnicity
There is No Room For Racism. Anywhere. Racism is the abuse or unfair treatment of players, officials, and fans because of their skin colour, nationality, or ethnicity. Some may also be targeted because of their association with an opposing team.
Did you know? Albion were the first club in England to simultaneously have men’s and women’s first team managers from ethnic minority backgrounds, in Chris Hughton and Hope Powell.
LGBTQ+
LGBTQ+ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer. The + is an inclusive symbol to mean ‘and others’, to include people of all identities. Rainbow Laces aims to make sure that LGBTQ+ people can feel safe and welcome when playing or watching sport.
We ask that all fans support LGBTQ+ people in football and beyond by making them feel welcome.
Did you know? Brighton & Hove has the largest LGB+ population in the country with 10.7% of those aged 16 years and over.
Disability
There are 1.2 billion people worldwide who have a disability – that’s 15% of the global population. While some disabilities are visible, others are not.
Did you know? The Brighton & Hove Albion Foundation’s disability department was established in 1997 and supports over 350 people per week with a disability.
Women and girls
We hope to inspire and empower young women and girls to recognise and celebrate key attributes in themselves and those around them.
Did you know? Lots of women took up football during WW1 as a way to keep fit, but in 1921 the FA decided that women’s football was to be banned. The reason given by the FA was that “…the game of football is quite unsuitable for females and ought not to be encouraged.”
Find out more
There is no place for discrimination anywhere. Not online, not in the stands, not at home and not on the streets. No one should receive abuse. So if you see discrimination challenge it, report it, change it. Here’s how to call it out
- Tell a trusted person (coach / manager / parent)
- Report it to Kick It Out on 0203 967 8989 or report@kickitout.org
- If you feel an offence has taken place contact the police on 101 or 999
At Brighton & Hove Albion, you can report matchday incidents on 07880 196442.
Find out more about EDI at the Foundation and the Club.
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