FC Barcelona, one of the most popular soccer clubs in the world, has joined the fight against homophobia in sports, the club announced today. The club yesterday qualified for the UEFA Champions League final in June.
Barça released a video that features players Dani Alves and Andrés Iniesta along with local Barcelona celebrities:
Here is the statement from the club:
FC Barcelona, via their Foundation, are adding their support to the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia which will take place next Sunday 17 May. The Club will make a public commitment in favor of diversity and respect with regards to sexual orientation in the field of sport and against homophobia. … FC Barcelona commits to, amongst other things, supporting the incorporation into the Law 19/2007 of 11 July against violence, racism, xenophobia and intolerance in sport, the fight against homophobia and discrimination of any type in sport and also to promote diversity and to ensure the spreading of positive messages on tolerance, respect and dignity in the area of sexual orientation.
As such, the Club has created a promotional campaign under the heading "We play as a team, we celebrate respect," which includes a video that supports the fight against homophobia and that is based on a goal from Andrés Iniesta. The Barça midfielder is just of several sportsmen from the Club who take part in the video, the others being Dani Alves and the captain of the handball team Víctor Tomàs. Also appearing are local figures and celebrities such as Bernat Soler, Elisenda Roca, Toni Cruanyes, el Mag Lari, Manel Fuentes and Sor Lucía Caram.
International soccer still lags behind other sports in its acceptance of gay players, so to have a club as prominent as Barça lend its support is huge.
