UEFA presents the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion toolkit to ensure the game is open to all

In football, it is crucial that everyone is respected, valued and safe.

Our new UEFA Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) toolkit provides guidance for national associations, leagues, clubs and other stakeholders to help create a friendly environment on the pitch, in the stands and anywhere the game reaches within our communities.

The EDI toolkit – which we will update regularly – is tailored for football-specific contexts while also emphasising the importance of understanding both international and national legislation related to EDI.

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A structured approach to EDI

The new toolkit outlines how EDI should be an important consideration for everybody involved in the game, from players to supporters, as well as those involved in the organisation and administration of the sport.

To provide guidance on key diversity constructs, it covers six separate chapters:

• Disability
• Ethnicity, culture, and racialised identity
• LBGTQI+
• Nationality
• Religion and belief
• Women and girls in football

Each chapter presents a brief introduction, followed by the football-specific context, followed by key considerations and good practices. Every section is complete with dedicated learning resources, supported by a checklist to provide the user with a tool for self-reflection.

As EDI topics are often both sensitive and complex, the toolkit is designed not to provide one-size-fits-all solutions but instead equip the user with an overview of key considerations, to review in their own local context and then tailor actions and activities to their own circumstances.

Encouraging collaboration

In line with UEFA’s Football Sustainability Strategy 2030, Strength through Unity, the EDI toolkit aims to inspire, accelerate and activate collaborative action across the football landscape. Everyone must play an active role in ensuring the game is played, organised and enjoyed in an inclusive way, where everyone feels like they truly belong.

The toolkit is a concrete representation of our FootbALL programme, which was created to highlight the sport's power to drive positive social change across European communities, and advocate for a game that is open to all to enjoy, play, learn and develop.

"In line with our strategy, we remain committed to working proactively to build a football for ALL, echoing the objectives of our #FootbALL programme," explains UEFA executive director of social and environmental sustainability, Michele Uva. "In this, we call on everyone in football to create an environment where our differences are celebrated as something positive to the sport and all involved in it."

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The UEFA EDI toolkit was developed in collaboration with topic-specific experts, including AccessibAll, Fare Network, Football Supporters Europe, European Gay & Lesbian Sport Federation, and the Global Observatory for Gender Equality & Sport.

We are also committed to ensuring UEFA is an inclusive workplace, and you can learn more about our social and environmental sustainability initiatives in our latest Respect Report.