France: diversity initiative "Football People - Proud of our differences" from 17 to 10/20/2014

The "Football People - Fiers de nos différences" ("Football People - Proud of our differences") initiative has been organised by the LFP (French Professional Football League), the UCPF (Union of Professional Football Clubs in France) and the UNFP (French National Union of Professional Footballers in) during the weekend of Matchday 10 of Ligue 1 and Matchday 11 of Ligue 2, 17 to 20/10/2014.

Players will be encouraged to wear brightly coloured shoelaces in matches throughout that weekend, and a video featuring Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 players will be released and messages will be displayed on the LED panels in stadiums.

Ahead of the event, the FondaCtion du Football organisation has launched a platform for the general public to contribute funding, on 26/09/2014. Multicolour laces, autographed shirts or tickets to attend matches are on sale to raise at least €12,000 to help amateur clubs to "develop social and civic actions in favor of diversity and the equality of opportunity." €2,300 have been collected as of 30/09/2014.

• This initiative is part of European football's Action Weeks against…