adminThe Premier League has said the next two weekends of matches would be dedicated to its No Room For Racism initiative.
Since it was started in March 2019, the PL’s No Room For Racism initiative has not stopped looking to tackle discrimination and to embed equality and increase diversity throughout the game.
The No Room For Racism branding features in matches to remind fans in the UK and around the world of the clear message that discrimination will not be tolerated in football or wider society, as well as demonstrating how diversity across all areas of the game makes it stronger.
The promotion over the next two weeks coincides with the two-year anniversary of the launch of the PL’s No Room For Racism Action Plan.
As in previous match rounds dedicated to No Room For Racism over the past five seasons, the inventory of matches will display the distinctive No Room For Racism branding.
Players will again be showing their unity against all forms of racism at all matches by taking the knee before kick-off.
This action is in line with the decision taken by club captains before the start of the season to do so at key moments of the season rather than before every match as was the case in previous seasons.
The PL chief executive, Richard Masters, reiterated the significance of No Room For Racism and welcomed the progress being made by the League and clubs. “Tackling discrimination and increasing diversity within football is of huge importance to the Premier League and our clubs,” Masters said.
“The No Room For Racism Action Plan has brought together the League’s longstanding work in this area, as we strive to make the game more inclusive, and I am glad to see that progress continues to be made against all the key areas of the Action Plan.
“However, there is more that can and will be done to instigate significant change.
“We conduct a wide range of work to deal with the issue of online abuse and to ensure our stadiums are welcoming to all. We will continue to make it clear to everybody that discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated in any environment.
“We also know that football benefits from greater diversity across all areas of the game. The initiatives we have introduced are designed to develop pathways for under-represented groups. We will continue to progress these, as well as working on new programmes, to ensure even more opportunities are available for people from ethnically diverse backgrounds.”
Sheffield Wednesday manager, Darren Moore, who is also chair of the Premier League Black Participants’ Advisory Group (BPAG) launched in 2019, said:
“After two years of the No Room For Racism Action Plan, it is encouraging to see that progress continues to be made in the fight against discrimination and that there are more steps being taken to diversify the game to ensure players and coaches from under-represented groups can thrive within football.
“I am also happy to see initiatives being put in place to help former players who aspire to taking on executive roles in the game. We know that football benefits from the incredible diversity we all see on the pitch and there is no doubt that is the case off the pitch as well. More has to be done to ensure these pathways develop and we see more diverse representation in prominent positions within football.
“Everybody has a responsibility to build on the work being done. Whether that is reporting incidents of discrimination or educating young people about equality and inclusion, we all have a role to play in demonstrating there is no room for racism.” BPAG comprises current and former players and managers to ensure that views of players and coaches from minority backgrounds are heard. — Premier League.
Online Reporter