Leading the Way to Tackle Inequality

Posted on 01/10/15

Football as a sport is more that can change lives, with the game combating the likes of racism and fascism to improve wherever it touches.
However, one issue isn’t put into the limelight as much, and is quite common across the globe is homophobia. Many players both male and female fall victim to these hate crimes, with abuse and chanting hurled at them for their sexuality.
However, two clubs have attempted to combat this injustice, by supporting charities who help kick homophobia out of the game.
Rayo Vallecano of the Spain’s top tier announced their new kits for the 2015/2016 season in June, with one special shirt in particular. The away kit contains the clubs traditional stripe across the chest with a twist. Rather than red, it’s a rainbow to raise awareness for the issue in the game. On top of this, for every shirt they sell, they’ll donate seven euros to a charity to fund solving the issue and raising awareness.
The rainbow itself also has a secret meaning, with each colour representing hard-hitting world issues. These issues come from inside and outside of football, those being Cancer (Red), Disability (Orange), Depression (Yellow), The Environment (Green), Child Abuse (Blue) and Domestic Violence (Pink).
They have also adopted the slogan ‘Solidarity’, which is written across the bottom of the shirt. This is a real breath of fresh air, as the club leads the way for clubs in Europe.
The slogan also appears on their third shirt, which is used to raise awareness to cancer charities, voicing their support.
Many in the UK have adopted to wearing pink, in particular goalkeepers, with Portsmouth doing so during their final season in the Premier League in 2009/2010 campaign, and this season Vanarama National League side Wrexham are doing the same, with the colours raising awareness for breast cancer.
However, Homophobia has been laughed off by many, and with another side in Spain also taking the responsibility, at a lower level.
Grass roots and lower league football has the same issues as those at the top, so Spanish Third Division side Deportivo Guadalajara have done much the same as Rayo Vallecano.
Produced by Hummel, Deportivo’s home shirt is purple, with the rainbow running down the centre to indicate the charities supported. The club has its own charity foundation ‘Fundacion de Guadalajara’, who this season are supporting and promoting the rights of LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transsexual) people.
These shirts could be a huge step towards equality in football for minority groups, and what a way to be part of it by showing your support with one. Both are available on ‘Vintagefootballshirts.com’ to order, and they will be in real demand, and it’s great to see clubs, especially in mainland Europe begin to put these issues behind them for equality.
Even without the significant meaning of the rainbow, these shirts are stylish and comfortable, and from two sides that are difficult to pick up outside the two areas, and are essential for any shirt collectors.