Diversity & Inclusion
Discrimination has no place in football
Celebrating inclusion and diversity for an equal, fair and accessible game where everyone can shine.
The FA and County FA's are here to ensure that everyone who is involved in football has a great experience – regardless of gender, sexuality, ethnicity, ability, disability, faith, or age.
Both The FA and the County FA's are working to ensure everyone has the opportunity to be part of the game.
We will all work together on our inclusion priorities over the coming years. These are underpinned by three commitments:
- Lead the Change - By actively tackling discrimination on and off the pitch.
- Be the Change - By building a diverse workforce from the inside out.
- Inspire the Change - By promoting an inclusive and united game which is for all.
Find out more about these commitments in the FA's Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Strategy 2021-24: A Game For All
Get In Touch
By Phone: 01256 853019
(8:30am - 5:15pm Monday - Friday)
By Email: Chris.Smith@HampshireFA.com
A Game For All
Download the Hampshire FA Equality Policy
Download The England Footbal Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Calendar 2020-21
Latest Diversity & Inclusion News
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Not sure what's classed as discrimination?
Click the button below to find out about the different types of discrimination and how to report it.
How to Report Discrimination
Discrimination has no place in football. If you see it, you should report it.
If you’ve been the victim of, or witnessed, discrimination at any level, you should report it so that action can be taken to improve the safety and inclusivity of football for all.
Reporting discrimination is simple. Follow the steps below:
STEP 1
Click the button below to open The FA’s form for reporting discrimination.
STEP 2
Complete the form, providing as much detail as possible to help our team investigate further. If you need any assistance in this process, please email Discipline@HampshireFA.com.
What happens next?
Once you have submitted the form, our team at Hampshire FA work closely with The FA to review the information that you have provided and investigate further. You can find out more information about the investigation process here.
Every single report is taken seriously, reviewed efficiently, investigated thoroughly, and treated sensitively.
Hampshire FA will get in touch when there is an update on your case. Timelines for this process can vary depending on the complexity and priority level of a case. If you would like an update on this at any stage, please email Discipline@HampshireFA.com.
When the investigation process has finished, Hampshire FA will inform you of the outcome:
- If there is insufficient evidence to determine whether a case is likely to succeed, there may be no further action. This is why it’s important that you complete the report form in as much detail as possible: this will help our team gather evidence.
- If there is sufficient evidence to charge, the case will then go to a hearing and a Discipline Commission will determine whether the case is 'Proven' or 'Not Proven'.
Hampshire FA will not tolerate discrimination. Punishments for proven cases reflect this.
For any proven case, the person responsible would receive a suspension, fine and be required to undertake a mandatory education programme.
If at any stage throughout this process, even before submitting a report, you want to discuss a problem or query, you can contact any of the below:
The Hampshire FA Discipline Team - Discipline@HampshireFA.com
Debbie Sowton (Discipline Manager) - Debbie.Sowton@HampshireFA.com
Melanie Gill (Designated Safeguarding Officer) - Melanie.Gill@HampshireFA.com
Chris Smith (Football Development Manager) - Chris.Smith@HampshireFA.com
Please Note: Our team will not be able to discuss any specific details relevant to an ongoing investigation. This is in order to maintain the integrity of the investigation. However, they will be able to answer any questions that you may have about the process and expected timelines.
Looking for more info?
Please see The FA’ FAQs here, or email Discipline@HampshireFA.com
Anti-Discrimination Textline
We now operate a unique textline service across Hampshire FA hub sites offering immediate support for victims and witnesses of discrimination incidents.
This includes the option of on-the-ground support 'there and then', and/or follow up support, from a member of staff specifically trained to deal with discrimination incidents.
Super Alf Charles
As part of Black History Month 2021, Hampshire FA is proud to have been involved in celebrating the legacy of Alf Charles, Southampton FC's first ever black footballer.
The celebrations saw a new 'Black Plaque' installed in Southampton and a new superhero animation created, featuring Alf Charles as the hero tackling racism.
HAMPSHIRE FA INCLUSION ADVISORY GROUP (IAG)
Hampshire FA is responsible for setting standards and values to apply throughout football at every level. Football belongs to, and should be enjoyed by anyone, who wants to participate in it.
Following a review of the local Race / Equality Advisory Groups in August 2011, The FA National Game Board communicated an expectation that an Inclusion Advisory Group (IAG) should be established in every County FA.
The Hampshire FA IAG assists with guiding Hampshire FA in providing services that focus on engaging all its communities, which embed positive interventions to address any gaps in provision, employ effective processes to deal with complaints, and demonstrate diverse representation across its structures that reflect the local football population.
As part of a county-wide approach to delivering Equality & Inclusion, the IAG has created a whole business Equality Action Plan.
If you're interested in finding out more about the Hampshire FA Inclusion Advisory Group, please contact Chris Smith, Football Development Manager.Organisations that support Diversity & Inclusion
We support the outstanding work being done by the organisations below towards anti-discrimination and inclusion within football and wider society...
Kick It Out
Football v Homophobia
Stonewall
We, at Hampshire FA, look forward to encouraging continued progression towards diversity and inclusion across our national sport for the future.Read More About Our Support of Black History Month 2021