The Premier League has launched the No Room for Racism campaign, demonstrating its continued commitment to equality and diversity and using the power and popularity of the League to oppose racism in football.
The campaign runs from Saturday 30th March to Monday 8th April and will make clear that racism is not acceptable in our competition or the wider sport.
It will also celebrate diversity across the Premier League and our clubs, and recognise the significant contribution made by Kick It Out in tackling discrimination since they were formed 25 years ago.
The campaign will include No Room for Racism and Kick It Out inventory in stadia across the Premier League for both match rounds, and across digital and social media outlets. Additionally, club captains will wear Kick It Out captain’s arm-bands at all matches.
Last month, the Premier League and its clubs discussed enhancing the range of programmes currently run to promote inclusion and diversity across football.
All clubs agreed that, while good work has been undertaken, more needs to be done to ensure BAME fans and players are supported. Clubs also backed plans to further improve career pathways to encourage more people from different backgrounds to take up coaching, refereeing and administrative roles in the sport.
The No Room for Racism campaign sits within the Premier League’s general inclusion initiative “This is Everyone’s Game”. It will be accompanied by nationwide advertising featuring Premier League players, managers and supporters, and stadia across the country will carry the No Room for Racism banner.
The initiative will also be visible at Premier League Academy matches and other national events during this time, including the Premier League Kicks Cup, which takes place on Monday 8th April.
Premier League Interim Chief Executive Richard Masters said, “Together with our clubs, we are proud of the diversity throughout the Premier League, in the stands, on the pitch and within our communities.
“Working with Kick It Out since 1993, great progress has been made in tackling racism through a range of initiatives and club partnerships. We are also aware that much more needs to be done, and the Premier League is committed to further promoting inclusion and diversity throughout our competition and beyond.
“It is evident there is still a minority of people who think discriminatory behaviour is acceptable, but the No Room for Racism campaign makes it clear that it will not be accepted by the Premier League and our clubs.
“We know how passionate football fans are, but this should never lead to any form of prejudice. We want everybody to be positive and respectful, create a welcoming atmosphere and show that football is everyone’s game.”
The Premier League fully supports clubs, Kick It Out and football’s other bodies in working together to make football a truly welcoming sport. This includes ensuring that offences can be readily reported and that all available sanctions are used to deter offending and to punish those found guilty of racism. The League will work with clubs and fans – and build upon existing partnerships with the Police, Crown Prosecution Service, stewards and supporter groups – to maintain a consistent approach to racist abuse.
Everyone attending or taking part in a football match has the right to feel safe, valued and included and we encourage supporters to continue to play their part in this. If you witness racist behaviour at a match or around a stadium, please report it to the police or a steward. You can also report racism by using the Kick It Out reporting app or website via this link.