Football stars urged to back anti-homophobia campaign

Football stars David Beckham and Wayne Rooney were urged to speak out against homophobia today in a video which could be shown in schools.

Plans to make a film to rid terraces of anti-gay chants have been confirmed by the Football Association (FA).

The initiative follows a barrage of abuse aimed at England internationals Sol Campbell and Ashley Cole, neither of whom are gay, at grounds in recent years.

Peter Tatchell, of gay rights group Outrage, said he hoped a host of players - including Beckham, Rooney, Campbell, Cole, Theo Walcott, Frank Lampard, David James and Cristiano Ronaldo - will be persuaded to take part.

The video is due to be released later this year and could be shown in schools, cinemas, on television and at grounds, he said.

Mr Tatchell praised the FA for backing the video "after years of lobbying."

He added: "The plan is to feature big-name stars speaking out against homophobia, in order to make anti-gay chants look as stupid, ignorant and uncool as racist ones.

"We also want the FA to put it on YouTube and distribute copies to every school in the country.

"Our aim is to give homophobia the boot - to kick anti-gay prejudice off the pitch and out of the terraces.

"It will also be a world first, since no other football governing body has even attempted anything as upfront and bold.

The FA and Kick It Out, the sport's diversity and inclusion campaign, confirmed they had approved the video but were unaware of its exact content.

"Homophobia has become a massive concern," said a spokesman for Kick It Out. "A release date has not been decided."

Mr Tatchell said authorities should impose big fines and match suspensions on players and managers who use anti-gay insults.

He added: "Stewards should be required to identify fans who shout homophobic abuse and the FA should secure the agreement of the police to arrest and evict them - in the same way that they arrest and evict racist fans.

"The appointment of Luiz Felipe Scolari to manage Chelsea should have been vetoed by FA and Chelsea bosses. He had previously said he would refuse to have a gay player in his team."