The EFL will draw attention to tackling racial abuse this weekend as they highlight their Together Against Racism campaign, making clear discrimination has no place in the game.
In an effort to combat racism and prejudice, Huddersfield Town is once again asking its supporters to report any instances of offensive behavior they witness at sporting events and on social media.
Sadly, these instances still happen within the game; hundreds of reports are submitted each year across all game levels, while other incidents go undetected. A comment was made about former Town midfielder Juninho Bacuna by a supporter of his new team, Birmingham City, during the Terriers’ recent trip to St Andrew’s. Town left-back Jaheim Headley was also the target of internet bullying earlier this season.
The EFL are drawing particular attention to the issue this weekend as they highlight their Together Against Racism campaign across all the fixtures, including Huddersfield Town’s visit from Queens Park Rangers on Saturday afternoon.
Manager Darren Moore said at his pre-match press conference: “The attention will be ongoing. The beautiful thing for this is not as a football club, but in society as a whole, we’re trying to stamp out and eradicate racial abuse in any form, and there’s many different forms you can come in.
“What we do is we stand all together as one in trying to stamp it out, and the beautiful thing about it is that we can all do – and we are doing – something about it. It doesn’t have to be on a football pitch: it can be around the stadium, outside the stadium, in your local communities…it can come at any time and rear its head at any time. But you have the power and the ability to stand up for what’s right.
“So this weekend with the EFL promoting that, not just us at Huddersfield Town, we stand with everybody right across the football fraternity in terms of stamping out and setting the message clearly, which is which is great to see.”
A Huddersfield Town club statement added: “As a club, we are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion through our Terriers Together work, having recently achieved the Premier League Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Advanced Standard – the first side to do so whilst being part of the EFL.
“While highlighting Black History Month each October and being committed to the EFL Together Against Racism Campaign, our next workshop of this nature is on Wednesday 1 November at the John Smith’s Stadium as we work alongside our Huddersfield Town Foundation to deliver an exhibition raising awareness of Islamophobia Awareness Month. Click here for more information about the event, and how you can be involved!”
How to report discrimination on matchdays or on social media
Supporters who are the victim of or witness to discrimination, harassment or abuse on matchday should notify the nearest steward or contact the club’s ‘Tackle and Text’ reporting line on 07741 528 949. The text will go through to the match day safety team who will investigate either by steward intervention, direct observation, or remote observation through security cameras.
Through the Tackle and Text number, a supporter can also make arrangements to speak to a member of the safety team in confidentially when they are not in the vicinity of where the event occurred. A message will be sent to everyone who calls this number to report an occurrence.
[email protected] is another email address that anyone can use to report matchday issues for investigation after the game or to report any social media occurrences that negatively impact Town supporters, employees, or players.
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