As many countries become more diverse the number of different faiths increases and numbers of people practising their particular Faith continue to grow. With diversity comes different cultures with different faiths and these have to be celebrated as well as recognised. Religion has caused more wars than any other reason apart from probably greed. Religious tolerance is accepting that someone else has another and different faith and although we may not agree with that teaching we still respect it. What we do have to ensure is that as well as acknowledging them we do not show prejudice either directly or indirectly.

There is much confusion over different Faiths in fact there are often many different strands within one Faith (take Christianity and Islam for two examples) and there may be conflict and disagreement within these strands. Many footballers will use their Faith as support during their playing careers. Consequently many footballers will not play or train during certain religious times or over periods of observance or celebration. Certain Religions will fast at certain times and this will have consequences for training and playing. Conflict can arise when confusion exists if a footballer who is naturally proud of his or her Faith appears to belittle or even insult others who do not share the same Faith. In football it is unacceptable to permit any anti Faith behaviour or to use the correct term – Bigotry. In clubs ignoring religious jokes, put downs, any kind of abuse and harassment is totally unacceptable. The excuse ‘Its only a bit of changing room banter’ is not acceptable. It is not unheard of for players to deliberately try to embarrass team mates that have strong religious beliefs by using inappropriate photographs on changing room walls or belittling them because they change privately for games. Players, parent / carers, supporters and officials – everyone to do with football- have the right to be proud of their Faith and celebrate it.