The Berks and Bucks FA are encouraging football players to alter their language and have produced a list of offensive terms with alternative suggestions.
The list has seen the county FA list terms that could be deemed as offensive with a host of alternatives to make the game more inclusive.
The Telegraph uploaded a photo of the list which has caused controversy on social media among some supporters, while some have also suggested that the alternative terms could help to make the sport more accepting and inclusive for everyone.
Callum Salhotra, Community & Inclusion Manager, Berks & Bucks FA, said; “Football has the power to unite communities and change lives. But for that to happen, everyone must feel like they belong. Language is at the heart of that — it can break down barriers or build them up. This guide will help us all take simple but meaningful steps to ensure our game is inclusive, respectful, and welcoming to everyone.
“The Inclusive Language Guide supports our ongoing work to deliver against The FA’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy: A Game for All and our own Community & Inclusion Strategy.
“We encourage all clubs, coaches, referees, and volunteers to use the guide and embed inclusive language into every part of the game, on and off the pitch.”
Terms include, ‘come on lads’, while the guide suggests the alternative ‘come on team, ‘assistant referee’ instead of ‘linesman’, ‘given name’ instead of ‘Christian name’, ‘they’ instead of ‘he/she’ and ‘hi all’ instead of ‘ladies and gentlemen.’
To read the full guide, visit: https://www.berks-bucksfa.com/news/2025/sep/23/inclusive-language-guide
