Bristol Rovers Football Club is proud to support the EFL's Together Against Racism campaign, running from 16-26 October.
The campaign brings together the EFL and all 72 Clubs to challenge racism wherever it occurs and reinforces the message that it has no place in football, online or in our communities.
At the Pirates, we are committed to creating an environment where everyone feels welcome and able to enjoy football free from racism and other forms of discrimination.
Our matchday on Saturday 24 October 2026 against Swindon Town will be our dedicated matchday where we will show our support for the campaign and reinforce the message that racism has no place in football or society.
Bristol Rovers is committed to the work we undertake in anti-racism. Through detailed programmes provided by Bristol Rovers Community Trust, we continue to play our part in tackling racism and promoting inclusion across our Club and community.
A key focus of this year's campaign is encouraging supporters to report racism as soon as it happens directly to Clubs.
Reporting incidents in this way can make a significant difference. EFL data from last season shows that 63% of live racism incidents reported directly to Clubs led to individuals being identified and action being taken and was over twice as likely to deliver an offender ID than a post-match report.
Last season, almost nine in every 10 successful identifications came from incidents reported directly to Clubs on matchday. By reporting concerns immediately, supporters help Clubs, stewards and authorities take quicker action, gather evidence and identify those responsible.
CEO Ritchie Bates said: “At Bristol Rovers, we are proud to stand Together Against Racism alongside our fellow EFL clubs. Football has the power to bring people together, break down barriers and unite communities, and that is something we must protect. There is no place for racism in our game, our club or our community.
“Every supporter should feel welcome, valued and respected when they come to support the Gas. Challenging racism is a responsibility we all share, and reporting incidents is a vital part of making sure they are taken seriously and acted upon.
“If you witness racism, please report it through the Club’s reporting channels or directly to a steward. Speaking up can make a real difference, helping us take action and ensure that the Memorial Stadium is a place where everyone can feel they belong.”
Supporters can find information on how to report racism directly to the Club at the link here.
Together, we can help ensure football remains a place where everyone feels they belong.
Ahead of the Together Against Racism campaign, Trevor Birch, Chief Executive of the EFL, said: "Football has a unique ability to bring communities together and give people a sense of belonging. Racism undermines that bond, which is why it remains critically important that the EFL, its Clubs, players, staff and supporters stand united against it wherever it is seen or heard.
“EFL data demonstrates that when incidents are reported at the time—through Club channels, to stewards or to the police—there is a significantly greater prospect of identifying those responsible and holding them to account. Last season, 51 people received bans and a further 15 attended education courses. The message is clear: the more information that is reported, the better the chance of ensuring that acts of hate have consequences.
“Discrimination has no place in our game, online or in our communities. The EFL remains resolute in its commitment to confronting racism in all its forms.”
Every Club in the EFL contributes to this success story - whether through undertaking community anti racism and discrimination activity, initiatives, fan education work, fan engagement, working with authorities and the EFL Equality Code of Practice.