Premier League clubs consider best approach to help refugees

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/sep/05/premier-league-clubs-help-refugees-west-brom-arsenal

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Premier League clubs are considering what steps to take to help Syrian refugees as the migration crisis continues to escalate. German clubs have led the way when it comes to donations and other initiatives and, although far more refugees have reached Germany than the UK, some clubs in England are monitoring the situation to see what they can do to help, while others are already helping.

In a statement, West Bromwich Albion told the Guardian, who tried to contact all 20 clubs on Friday: “The club and its charity partner, the Albion Foundation, has developed a number of its own initiatives which support people in need – whether that be in the west Midlands, Africa or Asia.

Related: Real Madrid to donate €1m to help refugees in Spain

“The current refugee crisis is a matter of grave concern which will be given full consideration by the club at the earliest opportunity. In the meantime we are obviously willing to support any initiatives to help raise the profile of the issue.”

Arsenal, meanwhile, have been working to help Syrian refugee children for some years after linking up with Save the Children as their global charity partner in 2011. They are currently developing a programme to improve the lives of displaced children living in refugee camps in Iraq and, on Tuesday, they sent a 100-box consignment of Arsenal kit over to them.

The initiative, which has been supported by funds raised at the Arsenal Foundation ball, has set in train the installation of football pitches at the camps in Iraq. The club and the charity are conscious of the game’s power to bring happiness into the lives of vulnerable young people.

At the previous three Arsenal Foundation balls, the club has raised a total of £384,000, with the contributions coming largely from the players. The money has gone towards educational facilities for Syrian refugee children and child-friendly spaces, together with the pitches.

In 2013, the Arsenal Foundation ambassador, Martin Keown, opened a new Save the Children football pitch for Syrian children in the Zaatari refugee camp in Jordan.

Everton also responded to the Guardian’s inquiry, saying in a statement: “The club’s official charity, Everton in the Community (EitC), delivers a range of activity to support refugees and is working with local action groups, Asylum Link and Refugee Action, to offer assistance to these families and the wider community in which they are based.

“In recent months EitC has forged a solid partnership with the British Red Cross, Asylum Link and Refugee Action and the charity has been approached by Refugee Action to help deliver a 10-week programme in the Tuebrook and Everton areas with refugees and their host communities. EitC has also hosted an information day at Goodison Park, which saw a significant increase in uptake compared to existing sessions that have taken place at external venues, and delivered a gym taster session in the Everton active centre.

“Moving forward, the charity will encourage participants to its EuroFIT programme at Goodison Park, in addition to further awareness building, charitable drives and direct intervention to continue to help refugees in the city.”

There is a desire among English fans to show their support for the refugees and some of them are likely to take banners to Premier League grounds next weekend. The league will publish an article on their official website to outline the policies in place at the various clubs for any supporters who wish to do so.