MX23RW : Friday, March 4 14:29:52| >> :60:483:483:

Chelsea chief insists fighting discrimination is "in our DNA"

Chelsea chief insists fighting discrimination is
© Reuters
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich will fund an extended programme in Israel that brings Jewish and Arab children together in football coaching sessions.

Bruce Buck has declared Chelsea's fight against discrimination as "in our DNA" as the Blues step up their latest Say No To Anti-Semitism initiative.

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich will fund an extended programme in Israel that brings Jewish and Arab children together in football coaching sessions.

The expanded Playing Fair, Leading Peace programme will break down barriers and combat discrimination by mixing communities in Israel.

Chairman Buck hailed Chelsea's latest steps to counter anti-Semitism, racism and discrimination – and insisted the three and a half years of club campaigns have altered the west Londoners' attitudes forever.

"Fighting discrimination and anti-Semitism is in our DNA now," Buck told the PA news agency.

"And we don't see any end in sight for stopping these programmes, we're just going to keep going on and on, and hopefully we'll keep making a difference.

"We've seen just this week what happened post the England game and that is unacceptable.

"And football clubs are in a special position to be able to do things about it through the power of football, and we and other clubs will do that and want to do that.

"Our No To Hate and Say No To Anti-Semitism campaigns are worldwide programmes.

"From our perspective and from the perspective of the people that work directly on these programmes, hopefully we leave an imprint everywhere we go."

Chelsea have no plans to relent on their fight against discrimination, approaching four years since the launch of their Say No To Anti-Semitism campaign.

Buck will speak at the Global Forum For Combating Anti-Semitism this week, having been asked to describe the "Chelsea model" of taking a stand against discrimination and abuse.

Revealing the club's pride at the long-running stance being lauded internationally, Buck also expanded on the new work in Israel.

The Chelsea Foundation, the Peres Centre for Peace and Innovation and the Israeli Football Association have combined to extend the Playing Fair, Leading Peace programme.

More than 1,000 Arab and Jewish children each year will be brought together through football, with Chelsea funding the expanded set-up and club staff training local coaches.

Manchester City v Chelsea – UEFA Champions League – Final – Estadio do Dragao
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, pictured, has been integral to the club's long-running work against hate and discrimination (Adam Davy/PA)

"This also brings into play the experience we have of coaching, and coaching young people," Buck said.

"Part of this project is where our coaches train the trainers, so we leverage our ability.

"We train trainers and then they work with the youngsters.

"And I think we all know that education is the key to solving some of the discrimination problems we have in this world.

"We say we're leveraging football, but we're actually leveraging the leveraging of football.

Frank Lampard Unveiling – Stamford Bridge
Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia, left, and chairman Bruce Buck, right, have been pivotal to the club's fight against racism and discrimination (Yui Mok/PA)

"Hating people does not come naturally, it's something learned over time.

"And to the extent we can do things to change that learning process and educate people not to hate, then it's a win-win for everybody.

"It's always been one of our objectives to encourage other football clubs and football institutions to get involved also.

"We're not trying to be out there by ourselves, we want others to get involved in all this.

"If we're contacted by clubs, which we regularly are, then we provide all the insight we can to help them move forward with their own programmes."

ID:455111: cacheID:455111:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:8795:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Did you know...?
Italy midfielder Jorginho in action against Belgium at Euro 2020 on July 2, 2021
Read Next:
Jorginho agent opens door to possible Chelsea exit
>

rhs 2.0
Todays Game Header Right
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City27213364174766
2Liverpool26186270205060
3Chelsea25148349183150
4Manchester UnitedMan Utd27138644341047
5West Ham UnitedWest Ham27136846341245
6Arsenal24143738271145
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs2513393532342
8Wolverhampton WanderersWolves26124102421340
9Southampton2681173437-335
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2671272530-533
11Crystal Palace2761293738-130
12Leicester CityLeicester2486103943-430
13Aston Villa2593133337-430
14Newcastle UnitedNewcastle25510102845-1725
15Brentford2766152744-1724
16Leeds UnitedLeeds2658132960-3123
17Everton2464142841-1322
18Burnley25312102232-1021
19Watford2654172547-2219
20Norwich CityNorwich2645171555-4017

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Match previews - Daily
Transfer Talk Daily
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!