European football backs diversity, inclusion and accessibility

Clubs and national teams from throughout Europe have united with UEFA and the Fare network in an impressive show of support for diversity, inclusion and accessibility in football.

Players from Manchester City and Shakhtar Donetsk join the match officials at their UEFA Champions League game©Getty Images

Europe’s premium competitions have also served as a high-profile platform to transmit the clear message that racism, discrimination and intolerance must be eradicated from the game. 

A total of 94 matches in the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Women’s Champions League and UEFA Nations League were the setting for activities that were part of the #FootballPeople action weeks – organised by UEFA’s social responsibility partner Fare – which have been taking place across the continent since 11 October.

Players, clubs and national teams taking part in the four competitions have given sterling support to UEFA and Fare – often using their own communication platforms to raise awareness.

Real Madrid's players with the #EqualGame hashtag©UEFA via Getty Images

Teams lined up for mixed photos with the match referees, while videos were played on giant screens in Europe’s stadiums. The hashtag for UEFA’s #EqualGame diversity and inclusion campaign was also prominent, and stadium announcements transmitted key messages to thousands of fans.

Youngsters helped promote key messages©UEFA via Getty Images

Children wearing #EqualGame t-shirts were present in stadiums to help encourage people to embrace the message that discrimination must be a thing of the past.

“We are pleased to have witnessed European football uniting at its highest club levels these past two weeks in such an impressive display of support for inclusion, diversity and accessibility in our game,” said UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin.

“In particular, it has been heartening to see many European clubs making full use of their own communication and social media channels to emphasise their backing for the Fare #FootballPeople action weeks. They have created promotional content, and players have also provided their own personal messages of support.”

“We thank everyone who has helped spread the crucial message that racism, discrimination and intolerance have no place in football.”

UEFA’s close and long-standing partnership with Fare began in 2001. The #FootballPeople action weeks are perfectly in tune with the aims of the UEFA #EqualGame campaign launched last year, which seeks to promote the ethos that football should be open to everyone. Leading European men’s and women’s football stars have given their backing to the #EqualGame campaign.

Children line up with Spain's players before their UEFA Nations League match with England©UEFA via Getty Images

“It has been inspiring to see so many across the world unite behind a message of anti-discrimination, diversity and inclusion during the #FootballPeople weeks,” said Fare executive director Piara Powar.

“The variety and number of activities across more than 60 countries shows the impact we can have together. More than 100,000 people have been involved directly in activities, and many millions more have seen the message through social media, TV and press reports.

Israel and Scotland players together before their UEFA Nations League encounter©AFP/Getty Images

“We want to thank each and every person that has been part of the movement.”