Women's

Albion join Football Welcomes campaign

Highlighting the role football plays in bringing people together.

By BHAFC • 19 April 2022

By Paul Hazlewood
Fliss Gibbons, Victoria Williams and Emily Simpkins show their support for the Football Welcomes campaign.

Albion are joining football clubs across the country this month to welcome refugees and people seeking asylum, as part of Amnesty International’s Football Welcomes campaign.

The campaign is now in its fifth year and celebrates the contribution players from a refugee background make to the game as well as highlighting the role football can play in bringing people together to create more welcoming communities for refugees.

Any refugee groups who would like to come to Saturday’s Barclays FA Women’s Super League game against Birmingham City (kick off 2pm) should email supporterservices@brightonandhovealbion.com

Football Welcomes comes this year during the biggest refugee crisis Europe has seen since the Second World War. Images and stories of people fleeing Ukraine have once again shown the plight of refugees, the trauma they face when fleeing conflict, and the need for countries and communities around the world to welcome them.   

Albion are one of many clubs from across the Premier League, English Football League, FA Women’s Super League, Championship and National League, Cymru North and South, and grassroots teams that have signed up to take part in Football Welcomes. 

Naomi Westland, Head of Football Welcomes at Amnesty International UK, said:  “The current refugee crisis in Ukraine shines a light on the importance of welcoming refugees wherever they're from, whether it’s Ukraine, Afghanistan, Eritrea or elsewhere. Football Welcomes is a great initiative to do this. 

“It’s heartening to see clubs like Brighton & Hove Albion using football as a powerful force for good, bringing people together and a providing a sense of belonging.

“With the support from the players of the People’s Postcode Lottery, Amnesty will continue to welcome refugees alongside football clubs across the country to show there is more that unites us than divides us.”

To buy tickets for Saturday's game click here