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Kick It Out team up with Home Office to tackle homophobic abuse inside football grounds with new campaign

Kick It Out team up with Home Office to tackle homophobic abuse inside football grounds with new campaign

Stewards at football grounds around the country have been given pocket guides on how to tackle and report homophobia during matches.

Ten thousand booklets have been issued by anti-discrimination body Kick It Out, who have teamed up with the Home Office as part of their 'Call Full Time on Hate' campaign.

The pocket guides contain advice on how stewards can identify homophobic, biphobic and transphobic discrimination and then report it.

Kick It Out have also produced a short film to raise awareness of lesbian, gay and transsexual inclusion in football following a four per cent rise in homophobic, biphobic and transphobic abuse reported to the body last season.

Kick It Out's chief executive, Roisin Wood, said of the scheme: "It is important that Kick It Out continues to raise awareness of the issues which still blight our national game.

"These topics have long been taboos in the game, but thanks to the proactive work of campaigners we are beginning to see the football community recognise the positive impact LGB&T inclusion is having on the sport."

The 'Call Full Time on Hate' campaign was launched by Kick It Out last August before the start of the season.

People are encouraged to report any discrimination confidentially through the Kick It Out app, which allows users to send video, photo and audio evidence.

Kick It Out was first founded in 1993 to deal with racism in the game, but they now target all forms of discrimination in football.