Dortmund and Burnley share UEFA annual diversity award

No appeal for Bury over expulsion

NYON, Switzerland, Aug 28, (AP): UEFA has given Borussia Dortmund a share of European soccer’s annual award to fans for the club’s “tireless long-term work” tackling racism and supporting refugees.

UEFA says Dortmund will share the Equal Game award with Burnley fan Scott Cunliffe as “role models highlighting diversity, inclusion and accessibility in football.”

Dortmund was is praised for “tackling far-right infiltration of their fan base, challenging everyday racism, and adopting a clear policy on the humanitarian rights of refugees and asylum seekers.”

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin says Dortmund “set an important example for other clubs throughout Europe.”

Cunliffe ran to each of Burnley’s away games in the Premier League last season, covering nearly 5,000 kilometers (3,100 miles) and raising more than 60,000 euros ($66,000) for charity.

UEFA will present the awards on Thursday at the Champions

League draw in Monaco.

Bury, expelled from the Football League (EFL) on Tuesday after failing to provide guarantees about their finances, have no right of appeal against the decision, EFL Executive Chair Debbie Jevans said on Wednesday.

Bury, with 125 years membership of the Football League, became the first team to be expelled since Maidstone in 1992 after a takeover bid fell through just before a deadline to satisfy the EFL about their future.

Defender Sergiño Dest and midfielder Paxton Pomykal are joining the US national team for the first time, among 26 players on the roster for exhibitions against Mexico and Uruguay.

They part of the US team at this year’s Under-20 World Cup and have gained regular club playing time, Dest with Ajax and Pomykal with Dallas.