Pashing is not a crime: Fans slam homophobia

It's had over 500 likes but the overwhelming response from the football Twittersphere was that of disgust.

Yesterday an Instagram account named 'rbbofficial' (which claims to be the official account of the Red and Black Bloc) posted an image depicting a perceived difference in Western Sydney Wanderers and Sydney FC. The image alludes to an idea that a male who supports the Wanderers will attract busty members of the opposite sex whilst a male who supports Sydney FC will attract members of the same sex. It's crude to say the least and comments on Instagram were mixed.

Moreover it's blatantly homophobic, insinuating that there are negative connotations attached to being gay. Banter between fan groups is perfectly fine, it ignites passion and builds game day experiences. But there must be strict boundaries when it comes to discriminatory material.

FIFA dictates that discrimination in any form is punishable but currently doesn't go so far as to name homophobia in this context:

“Discrimination of any kind against a country, private person or group of people on account of ethnic origin, gender, language, religion, politics or any other reason is strictly prohibited and punishable by suspension or expulsion.” 

However it shouldn't have to be a governing body that deals with discrimination. What happened on Twitter is perhaps the ideal scenario as to how 'punishment' should be dealt; a public backlash against the offender.

Twitter yesterday reacted strongly, affirming the cultural and social shift occurring in Australia and around the world. Included in the negative response were members of the RBB who denounced the image as immature and ridiculous.

.Stay classy, @wswanderersfc RBB doing their bit for intolerance. #aleague pic.twitter.com/fzanzoF4Vy
— Johan (@johanson_anders) August 27, 2013

An international anti-homophobia rights Twitter account, FootballvHomophobia, also weighed into the discussion. 

@GuidoTresoldi thanks for making us & @wswanderersfc aware of this. It's also something @FFA should be aware of pic.twitter.com/KBWTIlwXvg
— FootballvHomophobia (@FvHtweets) August 27, 2013

An earlier hashtag, #pashingisnotacrime (a play on the known hashtag and buzz slogan #passionisnotacrime, popularized this year by A-League fans' outrage at misrepresentation in the mainstream media) was brought to the foreground once more.

Hey homophobic RBB members: #PashingIsNotACrime
— Andrew Smith (@A_n_d_r_e_w_S) August 27, 2013

So we're close, but with acts of homophobia and discrimination like this still taking place, the quest for equality continues.