1. Promote the values of equality and fairness.
2. “Celebrate diversity in all its forms.” - FIFA President, Gianni Infantino
3. Strengthen social bonds.
4. Solve political disagreements in politics, not on the pitch.
5. Protect the kit and the pitch, keep them free of politics.
1. Promote the values of equality and fairness.
Welcome all to compete. Do not burden players with a requirement that they assent to a political platform as a prerequisite to be eligible to play. Do not force players to face a choice between wearing a message that violates their conscience versus being able to play.
As the FIFA Good Practice Guide on Diversity and Anti-Discrimination explains, “FIFA is developing its vision of an inclusive global football community that treats everyone equally. Every person should be welcomed with respect and appreciation, and should have the same opportunity to access all levels of football. Many millions of people see football as an important part of their lives and thus want to become involved in it in the best possible way. To ensure that they can contribute to the social and economic aspects of the game, any barriers need to be identified, examined and removed. FIFA has always made it clear (and always will do) that football is all about teamwork – in other words, it is what you do that counts, not who you are. Football is for all!”
2. “Celebrate diversity in all its forms.” - FIFA President, Gianni Infantino
Celebrating diversity does not mean mandating “pride” in one form of diversity by means of shaming another form of diversity.
No. Instead, soccer needs to welcome genuine diversity,“in all its forms.” To welcome all is truly “For the Game.” The FIFA Good Practice Guide on Diversity and Anti- Discrimination explains “diversity expands the pool of talent, which makes an association stronger and more competitive both at home and abroad.”
3. Strengthen social bonds.
Love for soccer unifies. Political disagreements, by contrast, divide.
Keeping politics out of soccer helps strengthen unity on teams and among fans, while strengthening the social bonds among all involved. Recognize and welcome the vast diversity of all who love soccer. Welcome all.
4. Solve political disagreements in politics, not on the pitch.
On the pitch and in the stadium, we can agree to disagree about politics, and get on with playing and enjoying the beautiful game together.
On the pitch and in the stadium, we need to be sure everyone is welcome.
5. Protect the kit and the pitch, keep them free of politics.
The kit and the pitch are for soccer, not politics.
Neither the kit nor the pitch should be used as a platform for promoting political, personal, or religious messages.
This blog post is from pages 22-23 of the 2019 report, "Let All Play: Yes to Soccer, No to Politics." CLICK to read the full report.