Leeds United to play with the EFL Rainbow Ball | OneFootball

Leeds United will play with the EFL Rainbow Ball in their fixture against Sunderland at Elland Road on Monday 17th February.

Earlier this month, the Rainbow Ball was revealed for the second year running, to help celebrate the LGBTQ+ community and serve as a reminder that football is for everyone.

Last year, more than £16,000 was donated to a LGBTQ+ Fans for Diversity Fund to help LGBTQ+ supporter groups raise more awareness and support for LGBTQ+ inclusion in football.

This year, for every goal scored with the Rainbow Ball across the Championship, League One and League Two fixtures from 6th to 17th February, there will once again be a donation to Football v Homophobia. This will support the charity’s ongoing work in tackling discrimination in this area.

Jade Brown, the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Lead at Leeds United, said: “Everyone at Leeds United is proud to play a part in making the game more inclusive for all our supporters.

“Playing with the Rainbow Ball highlights our commitment to our LGBTQ+ community and lets them know they are an important part of our club.

“Working alongside the EFL, our LGBTQ+ supporter’s group Marching Out Together, our players, manager and supporters, we strive to ensure football and Elland Road is a welcoming place for everyone as we stand Together Against Homophobia.”

The EFL and all EFL clubs will take swift and firm action against anyone identified as being responsible for discriminatory language and behaviour, working with the relevant authorities to ensure perpetrators face club sanctions/bans and potentially police action, alongside the offer of further education.

If homophobic or discriminatory abuse is witnessed, it can be reported through our Matchday Incident Text Service by texting LEEDS along with any relevant information around the incident, your name and ticket details to 60006. You will then receive an automated response which means that your report has been logged and will be looked into. You can also report any incidents through Kick It Out or the EFL’s reporting tool.

Trevor Birch, EFL Chief Executive Officer, added: “The EFL has an important role to play in ensuring our game is representative of and welcoming to all the communities we represent.

“The Rainbow Ball stands as representation of our work with clubs throughout the season and is a symbol of our unwavering commitment to the LGBTQ+ community and that we stand proudly Together Against Homophobia.”