News England and Wales will NOT wear the OneLove armband during the World Cup in Qatar It has been confirmed by seven Football Associations – from England, Wales and other European nations – that team captains – including Harry Kane – will not wear the OneLove armband to promote diversity and inclusion at the World Cup in Qatar, due to players being put “in a position where they could By Graham Robson • 2 min read
LGBTQ+ News Brighton LGBTQ+ Sports Society to run free football taster session on Saturday, November 26 It’s a great way to get involved in football, meet new people and play in a pressure-free and high-fun environment. By Graham Robson • 1 min read
LGBTQ+ News Qatar London embassy picketed before World Cup Ninety people, including football fans, joined a colourful noisy protest outside Qatar’s London embassy today, Saturday, November 19, the day before the start of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar. By Graham Robson • 1 min read
Birmingham Survey finds that 80% of Villa & Proud members will not be watching this year’s World Cup A survey conducted by Villa & Proud – the official LGBTQ+ supporters’ network for Aston Villa Football Club – has found that 80% of its members will not be watching year’s World Cup in Qatar. By Catherine Muxworthy • 2 min read
LGBTQ+ News Peter Tatchell Foundation to protest against Qatar’s ‘sexism, homophobia and racism’ Angry about Qatar’s sexism, homophobia and racism? Want to stand in solidarity with Qataris who seek reform? By Graham Robson • 1 min read
Coventry and West Midlands Villa & Proud launches World Cup survey In response to media asking for comments regarding the World Cup from Villa & Proud – the official LGBTQ+ supporter network for Aston Villa Football Club – the group has launched a survey, asking for feedback from their members. By Catherine Muxworthy • 1 min read
International News LGBTQ+ activists protest at FIFA Museum ahead of World Cup in Qatar A few dozen people protested in front of the FIFA Museum in Zurich on Tuesday, November 8 to press for the rights of the LGBTQ+ community ahead of the World Cup hosted by Qatar. By Graham Robson • 1 min read
Birmingham Birmingham Blaze FC to host a weekly “safe space” to get more LGBTQ+ people into football Birmingham Blaze FC, an LGBTQ+ team competing in local Birmingham leagues as well as nationally and internationally in tournaments, has announced weekly football sessions to try to get more LGBTQ+ people playing the sport. By Graham Robson • 1 min read
LGBTQ+ News This World Cup, help Stonewall fill a virtual stadium with Pride for LGBTQ+ people in Qatar As football fans fill stadiums in Qatar to watch their teams play, LGBTQ+ rights charity Stonewall is filling a virtual Proud Stadium with supporters of LGBTQ+ rights, coming together to shine a light on the injustices that LGBTQ+ communities face in Qatar, and in many more countries around the wor By Graham Robson • 1 min read
News FIFA’s top officials urge the 32 teams preparing for this year’s football World Cup in Qatar to “focus on the football” “Footballers with a conscience have a right to freedom of expression, just like everyone else.” By Graham Robson • 1 min read
News Qatar Preventive Security Department forces “arbitrarily arrest LGBTQ+ people and subject them to ill-treatment in detention” Qatar Preventive Security Department forces have arbitrarily arrested LGBTQ+ people and subjected them to ill-treatment in detention, Human Rights Watch has revealed. By Graham Robson • 4 min read
Features & Longread OPINION: The World Cup and Me. Sophie Cook on why you won’t see her at this year’s World Cup in Qatar “FIFA says that the tournament will help to break down barriers, if that’s the case then there needs to be a lot more barrier breaking and a lot less selling the soul of the game off to the highest bidder.” By Contributor • 5 min read
