22.10.2019

European football unites to celebrate #FootballPeople weeks’ message of diversity and inclusion

European football governing body UEFA continues to show its support for the Football People weeks and will help drive the campaign forward this coming week with more activities planned during a comprehensive round of UEFA club competition games to come.

Football Associations, top-tier clubs, European leagues and international players all came together during week one of this year's #FootballPeople weeks, helping back the campaign with a message of diversity and inclusion for all.

At all 48 UEFA club competition matches played during this period, including this week's UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Women’s Champions League games, players will line-up for a mixed photo and display the hashtag of UEFA’s anti-discrimination and social inclusion campaign #EqualGame.

Videos played on giant screens, announcements made over the stadium loudspeakers and child mascots wearing #FootballPeople t-shirts will also encourage those at the stadium and at home to stand up to discrimination and to embrace diversity.

UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin said: "The Fare #FootballPeople weeks are a crucial focal point of the fight against racism, discrimination and intolerance in football. Thousands of people are involved each year – and UEFA is a committed partner, using its high-profile competitions as a platform to spread key messages.

"Let’s all celebrate diversity and inclusion in the beautiful game!”

Football Associations back the Football People weeks 

During the international break several international teams came out to back the #FootballPeople weeks campaign.

In Italy, international stars Leonardo Bonucci, Torino's Andrea Belotti and AC Milan's Alessio Romagnoli threw their support behind the Football People weeks on behalf of the Italian national team.

https://twitter.com/Vivo_Azzur...

The German FA sent a message of inclusion for all through Bayern Munich star Serge Gnabry.

https://twitter.com/DFB_Team/s...

The Iceland football federation brought star players out such as Augsburg's Alfred Finnbogason to represent the Football People weeks.

https://twitter.com/footballic...

Despite the racist abuse against England players that stained Bulgarian football's reputation in their Euro 2020 qualifier against England, Bulgaria captain Ivelin Popov threw his support behind the Football People weeks with a message of solidarity and togetherness.

https://twitter.com/farenet/st...

The Football Associations of Belgium, Czech Republic, Slovakia and more also shared their support by sending pictures of national team captains or star players wearing Football People t-shirts.

Clubs get involved

Many clubs across Europe have done the same, including AEK Larnaka, Apollon FC, BSC Young Boys, CSKA Moscow, Doxa Katokopias FC, Juventus, LASK Linz, Napoli, Olympiakos, Valencia, FC Zurich and more.

In Italy, Juventus threw their support behind the campaign with social media coverage that included star player Aaron Ramsey.

https://twitter.com/juventusfc...

Serie A giants Napoli alsojoined the movement with a message against discrimination.

Greek powerhouse Olympiakos ran content on its social media pages supporting the campaign, as did other clubs in Greece including champions PAOK FC.

https://twitter.com/olympiacos...

AEK Larnaka also backed the #FootballPeople weeks with anti-discrimination messages on social media featuring their main players.

https://twitter.com/AEK_LARNAK...

Dynamo Dresden announced they will support the #FootballPeople weeks with t-shirts reading "Love Dinamo, Hate Racism" at their home game against Arminia Bielefeld. Champions League outfit Valencia CF also posted their support on Twitter.

https://twitter.com/valenciacf...

 

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