Manchester United have beaten Arsenal to win the top award at the 2024 FootballvHomophobia Awards for their efforts against discrimination.
The awards ceremony took place at the National Football Museum in Manchester and aimed to highlight the work being done to eliminate homophobia from football. Both United andArsenal were nominated in the professional team category, along with Exeter City from League Two.
Exeter came third, with Arsenal as runners-up, leaving United as the winners. Rick McGagh, the club's director of fan engagement, led the delegation that received the trophy.
The organisers, campaign group FootballvHomophobia, praised United's work to stop the 'Chelsea Rent Boy' chant, in their programme. «United have made concerted efforts to eradicate this discriminatory chant aimed at Chelsea fans, players and those connected to the Blues,» read the section about United.
«Working closely with supporters group Rainbow Devils, fans who attend games and those who don't were both educated and invited to empathise with LGBTQ+ people, with tangible results. Events such as 'One Love Live' — an allyship-focused panel discussion — were effective in building community, and the Foundation's work with local LGBTQ+ youth was also highlighted in the nominations.»
The Rainbow Devils, Manchester United's LGBT+ supporters group, celebrated their win and also praised Eric Najib, who came third in the FvH Hero category. They wrote: «A truly amazing night at the FootballvHomophobia Awards!
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»Manchester United WON the Professional Club Award, while our chair Eric Najib came 3rd in a close-run contest for the FvH Hero award.
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