Premier League No Room For Racism campaign reaches more than 19,000 schools

Education resources linked to the Premier League’s latest No Room For Racism campaign are available to more than 19,000 primary schools in England and Wales, extending the message beyond the pitch. Players from all 20 clubs feature in a new film launching ahead of dedicated match rounds from 17 to 25 October.

The film celebrates football’s diversity and highlights the impact racism continues to have on players, families and communities. Coventry City forward Brandon Thomas-Asante, Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk, Nottingham Forest forward Callum Hudson-Odoi, Manchester City defender Ruben Dias and Brighton & Hove Albion’s Kaoru Mitoma are among those taking part.

The campaign’s classroom materials are delivered through Premier League Primary Stars. Players contributed to resources designed to help children understand the value of diversity and learn from people with different backgrounds. Van Dijk, who helped create the video and features in the resources, said young people should see role models who look like them and know they “can achieve anything”. He also said he was proud to represent his Surinamese and Dutch background.

No Room For Racism began in 2019, encouraging supporters to challenge and report discriminatory abuse. In 2021, the League established an action plan with commitments to combat discrimination, improve pathways into football for under-represented groups, support communities through education and embed equality across clubs.

Premier League chief executive Richard Masters said the League and clubs were united in the fight against racism, while acknowledging that players and others in football still face abuse. He said the League would support those targeted and work with clubs and authorities to bring offenders to justice.

The match rounds fall during UK Black History Month, whose theme this year is “Honouring Our Communities”. Clubs will also highlight inclusion programmes that operate throughout the year. At Coventry Building Society Arena, supporters can report discriminatory or abusive behaviour by texting COV to 80800 with the location and details of the incident. Messages are free and handled in confidence.