New FA guide hoped to help crack down on alienating language

Berks & Bucks Football Association has released some guidance to help clubs be more aware of the language they use and adjust it to be more inclusive.

From team talks to referee briefings, parent sign-ups to post-match praise, words have the power ‘to break down barriers or build them up’, the FA says.

“Language that is outdated, biased, or discriminatory can make people feel unwelcome or unsafe [and] exclude [people] from participating,” they wrote.

“Football is better when everyone can play.”

This is why they have released a new Inclusive Language Guide, which offers practical advice on how to shift language – and help build ‘a more welcoming environment.’

BBFA drew attention to its growing number of LGBTQ+ participants, women and disabled players, and broad cultural diversity across its 600+ grassroots teams.

Guidance involves steering people away from language which perpetuates mental health stigma, or that against neurodivergent people (including people on the autism spectrum).

For example, BBFA urges avoiding describing people as ‘weird’ and instead focusing on ‘needs, not judgement.’

To help neurodiverse people, coaches and others could think about how to make instructions clearer and more consistent.

They could also provide visuals and routines and reduce sensory overload (too much talking over the top of each other, for example).

BBFA also encourages avoiding sarcasm, as not everyone can detect this equally.

Trans people, too, have been considered, with BBFA discouraging speculation or gossip about someone’s past.

It is acceptable to ask for someone’s preferred pronoun when unsure, the guidance says.

In terms of sexual orientation, BBFA says people should ‘avoid entirely’ comments on whether someone ‘looks gay’.

BBFA discourages asking people of different ethnicities where they are ‘really’ from, respecting if someone identifies as British, regardless of skin colour.

It also discourages drawing attention to someone’s race for no reason, such as describing someone as ‘the Asian winger’ when other non-race-based identifying descriptions will do.

The guidance encourages creating prayer spaces if requested, and quietly respecting when people are fasting for religious reasons.

More discouraged comments including telling others they’re ‘just a kid’, ‘too old to play’ or judging a referee based on their youthfulness; and saying someone is suffering from ‘baby brain’ when they come back after having a baby.

The BBFA encourages those experiencing discriminatory language to tell their Club Welfare Officer, report to Berks & Bucks FA, and use the Kick It Out app or www.kickitout.org

The guide also says what to do if mistakes are made: acknowledge it, apologise, learn and adapt.

It can be as simply as saying: “Thanks for the feedback – I’ll do better next time,” the FA writes.

Callum Salhotra, Community & Inclusion Manager, Berks & Bucks FA, said; “Football has the power to unite communities and change lives.

“But for that to happen, everyone must feel like they belong. Language is at the heart of that.”

Perhaps the most controversial suggestion is a move away from everyday gendered language, such as ‘come on lads’ or references to a ‘linesman’ rather than assistant referee.

The guidance made national media headlines, with critics including the Common Sense Group – a controversial group of MPs that comment on culture, identity, and public policy – saying it unnecessarily curtails freedom of expression.

A Berks & Bucks FA spokesperson said: “Our Inclusive Language Guide was created following consultation with local steering and stakeholder groups.

“It is designed to act as a supportive tool for those who wish to seek guidance on adopting inclusive language within their club or league environments.”