AMNESTY’S ‘FOOTBALL WELCOMES’ MONTH

Football clubs across the country this month (April) are welcoming refugees and people seeking asylum to play, as part of Amnesty International’s Football Welcomes campaign.

Now in its fifth year, Football Welcomes celebrates the contribution players from a refugee background make to the game and highlights the role football can play in bringing people together and creating more welcoming communities for refugees.

Football Welcomes this year coincided with the return of grassroots sport as lockdown rules eased, which provided a much-needed opportunity for people to reconnect with each other and their communities and to improve mental and physical health.

Naomi Westland, Movement Building Manager at Amnesty International UK, said: “With the long-awaited return of outdoor activities, we are excited to see the commitment from the footballing community to come together and welcome refugees.

“Clubs are at the heart of their communities and football can be powerful force for good, bringing people together and a providing a sense of purpose and belonging. For those who’ve fled conflict and persecution and had to leave everything behind, this is incredibly important.

“It’s heartening to see football clubs across the country doing great work in their communities to show there is more that unites us than divides us.”

To find out more about 'Football Welcomes Month’ please click here.