Exeter City will play with the English Football League (EFL) and PUMA’s Rainbow Ball in their fixture away at Cambridge United on Saturday, February 15.
Earlier this month, EFL and PUMA revealed the Rainbow Ball for the second year running to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community and serve as a reminder that football is for everyone.
Last year, PUMA donated more than £16,000 to a LGBTQ+ Fans for Diversity Fund to help LGBTQ+ supporter groups raise more awareness and support for LGBTQ+ inclusion in football.
This year, for every goal scored with the Rainbow Ball across the Championship, League One and League Two fixtures from 6-17 February, PUMA will once again donate money to Football v Homophobia. This will support the charity’s ongoing work in tackling discrimination in this area.
Everyone at Exeter City is proud to be play a part in making the game more inclusive and welcoming for all our supporters. Playing with the Rainbow Ball highlights our commitment to our LGBTQ+ community and lets them know they are an important part of our Club.
Working alongside the EFL and our players, manager and supporters, we strive to ensure football is a welcoming place for everyone as we stand Together Against Homophobia.
The EFL and EFL Clubs will take swift and firm action against anyone identified as being responsible for discriminatory language and behaviour, working with the relevant authorities to ensure perpetrators face club sanctions and potentially police action, alongside the offer of education.
If homophobic or discriminatory abuse is witnessed, it can be reported directly to Clubs through Kick It Out, the EFL’s reporting tool, or by alerting a steward. You can also text 'HELP ECFC' to 62277 to report anonymously.
Trevor Birch, EFL Chief Executive Officer, said: “The EFL has an important role to play in ensuring our game is representative of and welcoming to all the communities we represent
“The Rainbow ball stands as representation of our work with Clubs throughout the season and is a symbol of our unwavering commitment to the LGBTQ+ community and that we stand proudly together against homophobia.”