Coventry City and all EFL Clubs will support Kick It Out’s Week of Action, demonstrating the League’s ongoing commitment to equality and inclusion across all areas of the game.
The campaign runs from Saturday 30 March to Sunday 7 April with the EFL and its Clubs also supporting the Premier League’s No Room for Racism messaging. The Sky Blues will be showing their support for the work of Kick It Out and Football v Homophobia at Sunday’s game against Bristol Rovers.
Following recent high-profile incidents of discrimination, it is important that football responds at this challenging time, with the League and all 72 Clubs again reiterating that there is absolutely no place for racism or discrimination in football or society.
Matches played during the Week of Action will feature the captains wearing Kick It Out armbands and a pennant exchange as well as the EFL and its Clubs supporting the anti-discrimination message across their channels. The Sky Blues players will also be warming up in Kick It Out t-shirts too.
Kick It Out is football’s equality and inclusion organisation, working throughout the football, educational and community sectors to challenge discrimination, encourage inclusive practices and campaign for positive change. You can see more about the work of Kick It Out on their website at kickitout.org, on Twitter at @kickitout or you can also download the Kick It Out reporting app.
FvH is a global campaign challenging homophobia and discrimination against Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender people across football. To find out more about the initiative and how you can get involved please visit footballvhomophobia.com or follow them on Twitter: @FvHtweets
Underpinned by the EFL’s Code of Practice and Equality Standard, EFL Clubs have made an important difference across the last 25 years by challenging and reporting discriminatory behaviour and practices, delivering role models, both on and off the pitch and introducing initiatives to broaden the diversity of the workforce.
EFL Chief Executive Shaun Harvey said: “Progress continues to be made in tackling all forms of discrimination across every level of the game but, clearly, it is evident from a number of recent high-profile and distasteful incidents at matches at home and abroad that racism remains an issue society needs to address and football can play its part.
“Over the last 25 years Kick It Out has made a significant contribution to the ongoing fight for inclusivity across the game and those efforts have supported and supplemented by the work of the EFL which include the introduction of the Code of Practice, the BAME recruitment code and other EFL-wide initiatives such as Enjoy the Match.
“We will continue to work with Clubs, Kick It Out and other football bodies at such an important time, to ensure the EFL remains visible and committed to promoting a fully welcoming, diverse and inclusive environment for supporters, players, staff and within wider communities.”
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. The Sky Blues are proud to support Kick It Out and Football v Homophobia, and we are committed to making football safe and inclusive of everybody.
If you witness racist 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 or website at kickitout.org/forms/online-reporting-form