A UK football association has advised its members not to refer to people’s first names as “Christian names” in a bid to make the language used in football more “inclusive”.
Berks and Bucks FA released the document last week in order to “make sure football continues to be a space where everyone feels safe, supported, and able to thrive”.
The “Religion or Belief” section of the 26-page Inclusive Language Guide stipulates that players should not say “Christian name” and should instead use the term “given name”, in order to avoid “Christian-centric language”. The section also says members should not ask “why aren't you eating?” but rather “is there anything we can do to support your fasting?”
The “Gender Reassignment” section of the guide tells players to ask “what are their pronouns?” instead of “is that a boy or a girl?”, and to refer to people as “they” rather than assume their gender.
In the “Sex and Gender” section, players are told not to say “come on lads” but rather “come on team”, and to refrain from saying “linesman” and instead use “assistant referee”, as these are “gender-neutral” and “more inclusive” terms. Players are also advised not to ask one another whether they have a boyfriend or girlfriend, but instead to use the word “partner”.
Berks & Bucks Football Association is the football association for the counties of Berkshire and Buckinghamshire in the south of England, with its centre in Abingdon-on-Thames in Oxfordshire, though it retains historic ties to Berkshire. The affluent area is known for cultural traditions such as what is thought to be the oldest and longest street fair in Europe, and for its practice of “bun throwing”, in which local dignitaries hurl buns from the roof of Abingdon County Hall Museum to crowds gathered below. The association represents over 600 clubs and 34,000 players across the region.
Responding to the guide, Sir John Hayes, chairman of the Common Sense Group of Conservative MPs, told The Telegraph: “At best, this is daft. At worst, this is sinister.
“The distortion of language has been the business of tyrants throughout time, and I’m not sure the Football Association would want to be associated with tyranny.
“And so the idea that you can instruct people not to use a phrase in common usage is deeply worrying.”
Sir John added: “The association should get on with helping clubs to do the best they can for all those who want to be involved in football to have their chance, regardless of where they start.
“So my message to young, current and aspiring footballers is: come on lads.”
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