English football officials join Kick It Out at March of the Living
Representatives from the FA, EFL, PFA, and Chelsea and Watford were part of March of the Living UK’s educational programme to tackle antisemitism in football.
Lee Harpin is the Jewish News's political editor
Representatives from the Football Association, the English Football League, the Professional Footballers’ Association and Chelsea and Watford have taken part in the March of the Living in Poland on Yom Hashoah.
They were part of March of the Living UK’s three-day educational programme as part of its continued work to tackle antisemitism in football.
After retracing the walk where Jews were marched to the death chambers, the delegation took part in a memorial service for all those who were murdered at Auschwitz-Birkenau.
The trip also involved visiting the old synagogue of Dabrowa Tarnowska and exploring the Jewish quarter of Krakow to learn about the vibrancy of Jewish life in Poland before hearing from Holocaust survivors and visiting the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp on Monday.
Kick It Out trustee Lord Mann said: “We have learnt how vital it is that we continue to educate the world on where hatred can lead, if left unchallenged.
“It has been a privilege for us to take part in this important programme especially on Yom Hashoah and to hear first-hand testimonies from Holocaust survivors.”
EFL Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion David McArdle said: “It was humbling to be invited as part of Kick It Out delegation’s and experience the March of the Living. It was an incredibly moving experience and one that will stay with me.
“There is no place for antisemitism or any form of discrimination in football or society and while tangible progress has been made, there is undoubtedly more to be done. The work of Kick It Out and other organisations is hugely important and will continue to inform and drive the work we do at the EFL to help make further progress.”
Chelsea Foundation’s Campaign and Strategy Lead Gabriella Wilkinson added: “Chelsea FC and Chelsea Foundation are proud to be part of Kick It Out’s delegation at this year’s March of the Living.
“Having taken our own delegations of fan groups, academy players and colleagues to Auschwitz and March of the Living in the past, we understand the importance of visiting Holocaust sites of remembrance and the power they have to educate on the dangers of where hate can lead.”
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