Keeping up the fight against racism and antisemitism

The Ligue de Football Professionnel has made the fight against all forms of discrimination a central priority of its CSR efforts, launching an ambitious programme aimed at ensuring that racism, antisemitism, homophobia and sexism are forever banished from professional football. In collaboration with the clubs and our expert partner associations, the LFP has organised a series of special days aiming to raise awareness of these issues among all football lovers. Workshops have been set up in football academies with help from Fondaction du Football, with further sessions scheduled for professional squads. The LFP has also worked with LICRA to set up a whistleblowing platform open to all. This day-to-day work on the ground is backed up with serious sanctions against anyone found guilty of discrimination.

Recently, at the behest of the LFP, working groups have been formed with representatives of Facebook and Twitter, looking at how to fight back against the hate speech, and particularly the racist insults, aimed at French professional footballers on these social networks. This root-and-branch work also includes a string of awareness-raising and educational initiatives aimed at the general public. The 30th round of matches in both Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 BKT, set to be played over the weekend 19-21 March 2021, will be used as an opportunity to remind supporters of the importance of the fight against discrimination in all its forms. In partnership with LICRA, the Ligue de Football Professionnel has created two special videos to mark the occasion, featuring the stars of Ligue 1 and Ligue 2.

Players and officials will be lining up in front of special posters to mark the event.