Plans to launch a short video advert aimed at tackling homophobia in football have today been cancelled by the Football Association (FA).
The film, produced in conjunction with Kick It Out, football's equality and inclusion campaign was due to be launched next week on 11 February at London’s Wembley Stadium.
In a statement, Sue Law, FA’s Head of Equality and Child Protection, said that the Association have chosen to postpone the event in order to strengthen their anti-homophobia strategy by working more closely with their Tackling Homophobia Advisory Group and testing the film more widely.
The announcement came just hours after gay basketball star John Amaechi publicly condemned the film on his internet blog, criticising its content and poor attempt to combat homophobia.
Amaechi who works closely with the FA called the advert “offensive” and “vulgar” and said he was “horrified” when he first saw it and would not be attending the launch.
He stated: “The reality is that this advert, like the organisations that spawned it, lacks a true understanding of the issues or any sense of nuance or proportion.
“This advert shows an ostensibly straight, white thug abusing his co-workers and other random people around him and never once being challenged.
“It shows what we must assume is a gay man shrinking behind his cubicle to avoid abuse and in the final scene at the football game the abuser again goes completely unchallenged while letting out a verbal tirade that made my eyes water.”
The video was due to be released later this year with proposals to show it to young people in schools, cinemas, on television and at football grounds.
Danny Lynch, of Kick It Out, said that his organisation was fully involved with the making of the film and that they were completely happy with it.
He commented: “The decision to postpone the launch event was entirely an FA call. They feel a few refinements need to be made before going public.
“People will either like the film it or not. The idea is to spark debate.”