Class act Papy teaches kids a lesson on evils of racism
Sunderland AFC showed its support for Kick It Out’s ‘Call Full Time On Hate’ initiative as centre back Papy Djilobodji visited a city primary school.
The Senegal international joined around 60 children at East Herrington Primary School to help raise awareness of the scheme, while signing autographs and taking part in an educational class before giving away tickets for the youngsters to attend Sunderland’s home game against Burnley.
Speaking at the event, he said: “It’s important that we can raise awareness of the really important work that Kick It Out do in football.
“Any form of discrimination has no place in football and the whole game needs to do everything they can to stamp it out of the game at all levels.”
Over the last year, Kick It Out chairman Lord Herman Ouseley has reiterated with all the football authorities his concerns on behalf of the organisation around rising levels of hate in society.
He believes support from professional clubs is an important step in tackling the issue.
“Our anti-hate initiative aims to build on existing positive education and awarenessraising projects supported by clubs and their Foundations in their local communities,” he said.
“Football is at the forefront of helping its fans, players and young people in their local communities to understand the damaging effects of prejudice and discriminatory abuse.
Throughout the 2016/17 season, Kick It Out - football’s equality and inclusion organisation - aims to utilise and engage the collective force of football to tackle discrimination and hate incidents at every level of the game.
Kick It Out has been working throughout the football, educational and community sectors to challenge discrimination, encourage inclusive practices and campaign for positive change for almost a quarter of a century .
The #CallFullTimeOnHate campaign aims to utilise and engage the collective force of football to tackle discrimination and hate incidents at every level of the game.
The initiative also seeks to highlight the positive messages of inclusion echoed by the football authorities, clubs, players, managers and supporters’ groups.