Premier League stars unite against racism

Premier League football players have come together to add their voices to the #NoRoomForRacism initiative.

In this new film on allyship, Everton's Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Brighton & Hove Albion’s Adam Lallana, Wolverhampton Wanderers captain Conor Coady, Liverpool’s Divock Origi and Manchester City Women's Demi Stokes discuss their experiences of discrimination, the impact it has had on them and their team-mates and how we all have a responsibility to tackle racism. 

"We're team-mates regardless of our skin colour and our ethnicity", highlights Calvert-Lewin. "But, if anything was to happen, I know I have the backing of my team-mates and likewise they have with me. In that respect because it's kind of like a family type environment, so you know we're there for each other when we need to be."

Coady celebrates the global nature of the Premier League and the strength that diversity brings. "Our changing room, it's full of people from all over the world. But I think that's what makes us a good changing room, in that we come from all over, but we're as one as soon as we come into that changing room."

Lallana emphasises the need to communicate with those around you and open up to tackle discrimination. "Ask your team-mates, to your right and to your left, 'How are you?' because you don’t always know what people are going through behind the scenes. It’s always important to talk, no matter how young you are. Whether it is to your teachers, your friends, your manager, your boss at work, your parents, it’s just vital to talk. There’s so many people out there that will want to help."

They have been speaking as part of a special project for Premier League Primary Stars. New supporting PSHE resources for schools will be live later this term, introducing the topic of racism and inclusion and exploring with pupils how they can act with solidarity towards others and avoid stereotyping. Resources will give opportunities for group work, class discussion and take-home activities. There will also be brilliant new literacy resources for younger children featuring illustrated stories of players’ early lives and careers.

Already live on Premier League Primary Stars is a brand new Key Stage 2 resource pack celebrating diversity, This is Everyone's Game - Black Voices. Films feature Liverpool FC’s Divock Origi and Manchester City Women’s Demi Stokes discussing their heritage, racism and their journey to playing football at the highest level. 

The pack also includes a poster challenge for use at school or at home. We’re encouraging families to work together to create their poster and discuss the issue of discrimination over the half-term break. Share an image of your poster with @PLCommunities on Twitter using #PLPrimaryStars and #NoRoomForRacism, or email us at plprimarystars@premierleague.com.

Join us and show that there is No Room For Racism in football or anywhere else.