Charlton will host its annual Charlton v Homophobia tournament at the Valley tonight to help raise the profile of LGBTQI+ football.

This year, for the first time, a Royal Air Force (RAF) representative team and a team of journalists will take part in the six-team tournament. Two time champions the University of Greenwich and Fans For Diversity will return after playing in last year’s tournament.

The tournament is free for fans to come and watch and teams now confirmed include:

Proud Valiants – the official Charlton Athletic supporters groups for LGBTQI+ fans

CACT Invicta – the first ever dedicated LGBT-friendly football team to be affiliated with a professional football club trust

Fans For Diversity

University of Greenwich

RAF XI

The Journalists – a team made up of national, regional and local journalists

Proud Valiants chair Rob Harris said: “I’m delighted we’re able to welcome two new teams to the tournament this year as the event continues to grow.”

University of Greenwich Head of Sports Strategy Marianne Boyle added: “The university is a proud member of the Stonewall Diversity Champions programme and the positive development of LGBTQI+ related equality & diversity support and representation is very important to the University.

“It is an absolute honour to be part of such a fantastic awareness raising tournament for the third year running and, while we wish all those participating the best of luck, as the champions for the last two years we are hoping to make it third time lucky for University of Greenwich students and staff team.”