Mit FootbALL launches a comprehensive program to ensure inclusion and equal opportunities by working closely with all stakeholders in European football to bring about positive societal change.
The program consists of three pillars – the campaign, the platform and the delivery – which encompass all of UEFA’s social sustainability initiatives, events and campaigns.
It stems from UEFA’s relentless commitment to using football as a force for positive societal change. With the simple but important message: Everyone is welcome in football.
By FootbALL new awareness-raising measures are initiated and existing programs such as “Outraged” are expanded. It informs the public about the commitment of UEFA, its member associations and football partners to inclusion and equality in European football.
The program also contributes to the implementation of UEFA’s Sustainable Football Strategy. Its aim is to inspire, animate and drive collective action to promote social and environmental sustainability in European football.
UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin believes football can bring about positive change:
“With its universal language, football can overcome borders and bring people together. Inclusion and openness are the keys to unlocking the true potential of football. Open to all, regardless of race, gender or ability, football creates a level playing field so everyone feels welcome, respected and valued. With FootbALL we want to create an environment where talent can flourish without discrimination and where dreams know no bounds.”
A video campaign will be carried out at the start of the programme. It tells the stories of people from different backgrounds and roles in the football community. It’s about people who act on the pitch, on the sidelines or behind the scenes. The campaign aims to challenge viewers’ prejudices and assumptions about the protagonists and show that, despite their differences and specificities, they all belong to football. An example in the video is the story of Linda Repetti, who works as a groundskeeper at the Luigi Ferraris Stadium in Genoa:
“People are surprised when I tell them I work as a groundskeeper because there aren’t many women who do that job in football. I’ve always had to fight hard for my role.”
Anticipation for the UEFA Champions League final in Istanbul is growing and on this occasion the FootbALLcampaign officially launched. Not only will fans be made aware of this on pitchside advertising boards, but also on billboards and screens, as well as before, during and after the match on UEFA’s social media channels.
Visitors to the UEFA Champions Festival in Istanbul can also get acquainted with the campaign, particularly visiting European legends. The new campaign logo will be applied to the players’ jerseys to celebrate the FootbALL to apply.
Former France international and Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira mentions the importance of mutual respect in football:
“Football has the unique potential to transcend borders such as nationality, ethnicity, gender and religion. Children learn from an early age to play together and to speak a common language in football. We must value and protect diversity in football so that everyone can feel like a respected member of society.”
At the end of this month the first FootbALL-Distribute awards to national associations, clubs, players and leagues that have championed projects related to inclusion, equality and diversity in football. The program FootbALL will continue in 2023/24 and beyond in all UEFA competitions and at national level, in close cooperation with member associations.
2023-06-08 07:07:30
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