Manchester United Football Club and Rainbow Devils’ Chair Eric Najib gained recognition in the 2024 Football v Homophobia awards, held at the National Football Museum in Manchester on 23rd February.
Manchester United won first place in the Professional Club Award, with Arsenal coming second and Exeter City third.
Rick McGagh, United’s director of fan engagement, said:
“We’re delighted to have won Professional Club Award at the Football v Homophobia Awards, and we want to dedicate it to the Rainbow Devils who do a fantastic job for their 1000+ members.
“The One Love Live event was all about how we can be better and more effective allies to the LGBTQ+ community and I want to thank adidas, and the team at Manchester United for putting on such a great and meaningful event.
“There is a line in the film we have just released about Rainbow Devils which has really stuck with me – one of their members says: ‘Rainbow Devils has given me the confidence to go to United and really be myself.’
“All fans should feel able to attend games at their club and be themselves. We still have a long way to go – but with groups like Rainbow Devils, events like tonight and the support and resources of clubs like Manchester United and our partners, it is something we will achieve. Football is for everyone.”
Rainbow Devils chair Eric Najib also gained recognition, coming third in the Football v Homophobia Hero Award for his work as manager of Stonewall Football Club and his founding and leadership of the supporters’ club.
