Football v Transphobia Week of Action returns – show your support
#FvT2026 is the eighth annual activation of the Football v Transphobia campaign, from March 25 to 31; transphobic abuse reported to Kick It Out has doubled in each of the last three completed seasons; campaign encourages education on tackling discrimination, inviting clubs, leagues and fan groups to raise awareness of reporting, amplify trans+ voices, and talk about inclusion…
There is a growing risk of alienation and exclusion from football for transgender and gender non-conforming people, with reports of transphobic abuse continuing to rise.
Issuing a critical call for solidarity across all levels of the game, the Football v Transphobia campaign (FvT) is focusing on ways to show allyship towards the trans community in its annual Week of Action from March 25 to 31.
In the last year, policy shifts and court rulings have pushed trans and non-binary people further towards the sidelines, restricting opportunities to participate for those who play the game and heightening concerns for those who attend matches.
Meanwhile, in each of the last three completed seasons, transphobic abuse reported to Kick It Out has doubled.
FvT, which is delivered by Football v Homophobia, is asking clubs, leagues, supporters groups and other stakeholders to assist with tackling discriminatory language and behaviour that references gender reassignment and/or gender.
Under FA Rules, these offences are serious breaches of misconduct, and all participants in football have a duty to report them, providing evidence where possible.
Allegations are investigated thoroughly, leading to disciplinary charges. “Aggravated breaches” of the rules, in which people have been victimised because of a protected characteristic, result in suspensions and fines for the perpetrators, as well as mandatory education courses.
Natalie Washington, FvT campaign lead, says: “Recent instances of exclusion in football and escalating transphobia in wider society are sending a damaging message that transgender people are not welcome in our sport.
“Our #FvT2026 Week of Action, which culminates in Trans Day of Visibility, is a collective chance to counter this damaging narrative.
“Since 2019, we’ve seen great enthusiasm around this campaign, with many empowering stories demonstrating how access to the game improves wellbeing and mental health for those of us in the trans+ community.
“We need that show of support once more, as we look to bridge the gap between the restrictive regulations of governing bodies and our own lived experience. With clear and vocal allyship from clubs, leagues, fan groups and other stakeholders, we can take a united stand against discrimination.”
In February, Football v Homophobia and Kick It Out announced a new reporting relationship, in a joint bid to boost the confidence of LGBTQ+ people and allies and encourage them to follow up responsibly on incidents of abuse.
With greater awareness of what constitutes transphobia, from identifying slurs and insults to understanding how ‘gender policing’ makes those affected feel unsafe and unwelcome, meaningful action can be taken to prevent situations that can lead to victims disengaging from football altogether.
Lou Englefield, the campaign director of FvH, says: “The doubling of transphobia reports season-on-season is deeply worrying, and it’s evident that football must step up to address this.
“At grassroots level and in the professional game, we are aware of cases in which young girls and women have been subjected to invasive questioning and body policing, whether from opposition players, or remarks shouted by spectators.
“This type of abuse has severe real-world consequences, and in the current climate, there is the danger that aggressors will feel more emboldened to use discriminatory language and behaviours.
“Everyone deserves to enjoy the game without fear of harassment. We are asking stakeholders to activate Football v Transphobia in the last week of March and reinforce the message that there is no place for this hate in our game.”
Activities taking place in the #FvT Week of Action include the Fair Game UK Conference in Manchester, where Natalie Washington is among the guest speakers and where newly-commissioned research about the lived experiences of trans players is being launched.
On Saturday, March 28, West London Queer Project’s annual Festival of Football will focus on development and inclusion, welcoming both OPEN and FLINTA teams in six-a-side competitions. More than 30 teams have already registered to take part.
Clubs, leagues and fan groups can sign up in support of the #FvT2026 Week of Action at https://www.footballvhomophobia.com/fvt/, and FvT flags and T-shirts are available in the campaign Shop.
What’s on?
Wed 25 Mar – Fair Game Conference Day 2 – Natalie Washington in conversation with Chloe Morgan, 1130-1200 (National Football Museum, Manchester)
Wed 25 to Tue 31 Mar – Football v Transphobia Week of Action
Thu 26 Mar (5pm to 8pm) – Changing the Game: Football, Identity & the Future of Wrexham (Tŷ Pawb, Wrexham)
Sat 28 Mar (10pm to 5pm) – West London Queer Project Festival of Football (Osterley, west London) – followed by Afterparty in Chiswick (from 7pm)
Mon 30 Mar (7pm to 9pm) – Stenhousemuir Rainbow Warriors FvT Festival (Ochilview Stadium, Stenhousemuir)
Mon 30 Mar (7.30pm) – Dinamo vs Transphobia: Film screening and kit sale (Nunhead, southeast London)
Tue 31 Mar – Transgender Day of Visibility
Tue 31 Mar (8.15pm) – ‘We’ll Go Down in History’ + Q&A + Trans Short Films (The Arzner Cinema, Bermondsey, London)
Football v Transphobia is an international initiative that exists to challenge discrimination based on gender identity and gender expression at all levels of the game. It is delivered by Football v Homophobia (Pride Sports).
First launched in 2019, Football v Transphobia receives an annual Week of Action from March 25 to 31, in the seven days leading up to Transgender Day of Visibility.
The Week of Action calls on individuals and organisations at all levels of football to take meaningful action to create more LGBTQ+ inclusive spaces in the game and address all forms of discrimination.
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