Leah Williamson interview: ‘Football is everyone’s game - the Qatar World Cup is wrong’
The IndependentSign up to Miguel Delaney’s Reading the Game newsletter sent straight to your inbox for free Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The England captain says the staging of the men’s World Cup in Qatar is “wrong” but wants to use her voice to highlight the discrimination of LGBTQ+ people in the host country, while promoting messages of inclusion and equality closer to home. It’s not acceptable.” Williamson was speaking ahead of the start of the World Cup and at the unveiling of a mural depicting Helen Hardy, founder of Manchester Laces - the first inclusive women’s and non-binary football club in Manchester. “Any chance we get to make that point we will do that.” open image in gallery Leah Williamson unveils a mural by artist Charlotte Archer on the Spanish Steps of Wembley Stadium, which depicts Helen Hardy founder of Manchester Laces For Williamson, Manchester Laces embody how football can actually be used as a force for good, particularly at a time when being trans or non-binary in sport and wider society can be difficult. Everyone is helping each other without even knowing it but to see it projected onto the side of Wembley, the home of football, is the place it deserves to be.” Leah Williamson has teamed up with The National Lottery to honour the work of amazing individuals championing diversity and inclusion in sport like Helen Hardy, founder of Manchester Laces.