Oxford United, the EFL and all EFL clubs are united in tackling discrimination and prejudiced behaviour in all its forms and are reminding supporters that no forms of abuse will be tolerated ahead of this weekend’s fixtures.
Everyone attending or taking part in a football match has the right to feel safe, valued and included and supporters are therefore being reminded of the positive steps that can be taken on matchdays.
Work is continuing with the Premier League and the Football Association to improve processes and procedures in place to address discrimination in stadiums, with commitments made to review how clubs sanction and educate offenders, tackle under-representation across all levels of the game and improve training provisions for stewards to ensure they are best equipped to recognise and respond to issues
as they arise.
However, there is no room for complacency and, on Show Racism the Red Card day, the EFL and its clubs are reinforcing the collective approach to be taken under the header ‘Not today or any day’, if anyone experiences, or is subject to, discriminatory behaviour.The EFL recommends the following methods:
1. Report it to a steward or Police Officer. Reporting incidents early helps clubs to take immediate action.
2. Confidentially report it via the Kick It Out App, available on iPhone and Android
3. Report it to Kick it Out on Social media (@KickItOut), phone 0800 169 9414 or email info@kickitout.org
4. Via the Kick It Out website form at https://www.kickitout.org/forms/online-reporting-form
In addition clubs, players, managers and officials have also been reminded of a matchday protocol introduced to domestic football ahead of the 2019/20 season, alongside The Football Association and the Premier League, in a attempt to ensure the matchday environment provides a positive experience for all.
The protocol is designed to ensure that incidents of abuse are effectively addressed, perpetrators are identified and dealt with, while at the same time make sure that the match is not unduly interrupted with a step by step guide mapped out to support participants take the right course of action in such a scenario.
Further details regarding the matchday protocol are available here:
https://www.efl.com/news/2019/october/matchday-protocol---abusive-behaviour/
Fans are reminded that if you are at a home game then Oxford United have their own dedicated phone line so you can report anti-social behaviour anonymously. Text your stand, block and seat number with a brief description to 07342 274742