UEFA are being asked to pressurize the Polish FA following a series of anti-LGBT displays at domestic matches in Poland in recent weeks.
The Fare Network, the Europe-wide umbrella organization devoted to tackling discrimination, has also highlighted the issue in recent weeks.
Our joint statement with @prideinfootball to @UEFA seeking radical action over anti-LGBT & #Homophobic fan displays at Polish clubs https://t.co/3qa5PmFRBK ✊🏳️🌈⚽️
— 3LIONSPRIDE 🌈🦁🦁🦁⚽️🏴🏳️🌈 (@3Lionspride) March 23, 2019
Now, Pride in Football, the UK’s alliance of LGBT+ football supporters, and the England LGBT+ fans group Three Lions Pride have written an open letter to European football’s governing body.
In the letter, they call for football authorities to take a strong stand against the discrimination, and suggest one course of action that should be considered is the cancellation of Poland’s European Qualifier against Latvia in Warsaw on Sunday.
The Polish FA must prevent anti-#LGBT displays in its stadiums or forfeit participation in @UEFA @UEFAEURO pic.twitter.com/zbeNAsk8jw
— 3LIONSPRIDE 🌈🦁🦁🦁⚽️🏴🏳️🌈 (@3Lionspride) March 23, 2019
“We are deeply concerned at the apparent lack of action from the Polish FA in response to recent anti-LGBT and homophobic fan banners at clubs in Poland,” the letter read.
“UEFA’s constitutional machinery champions such equality – and the criteria for eligibility to participate in its competitions specifies that member associations actively address any form of discrimination.
Do something @UEFA What is #EqualGame without action against obvious homophobia and anti-LGBT banners in Polish football grounds?! https://t.co/bv33WUmyKc
— Carl Fearn (@carljfearn) March 24, 2019
“LGBT+ fans (and all supporters including those from any minority community) should feel safe and welcome to watch their team wherever they are playing.