The Strong Side: A Bold New Step in Violence Prevention in Football
The International Association of ESD Professionals (IAESDP) is proud to launch The Strong Side—a powerful new violence prevention initiative in football that brings the life-changing tools of Empowerment Self Defense (ESD) into the heart of football culture. This global project is designed to improve fan safety and promote inclusive football environments by offering tailored safety trainings to football players, coaches, club staff, media, stadium workers, and supporters. By strengthening community resilience and communication, The Strong Side equips participants with tools to prevent gender-based violence in football and beyond. Why Football, Why Now? Football is more than a sport—it’s a global language. But like society, it also reflects deep-rooted issues, including violence against women and gender minorities. Research shows that major tournaments