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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Jacob Leeks

Special Report: Football's battle against homophobia amid "worst possible start to year"

Some may look at Rainbow Laces, Luke Ayling going to Leeds Pride or Jake Daniels bravely coming out and think football has won its battle against homophobia.

They would be wrong.

The start of 2023 has seen an explosion in homophobic incidents throughout the game. There have been multiple instances of the 'rent boy' chant being sung, two Southampton fans have been handed stadium bans for shouting homophobic abuse, League One Burton Albion have been forced to release a statement condemning the homophobic actions of their own fans at several matches and a recent game involving grassroots side Stonewall FC was suspended after the LGBT+ inclusive side received homophobic abuse.

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