Both clubs’ players will be wearing T-shirts in the warm-up highlighting the programmes run by Kick It Out and Show Racism The Red Card, with Town players as usual taking a stand together against all forms of discrimination just before kick-off.
“There is no place for discrimination in any part of society - let alone football - and Luton Town continues its zero-tolerance policy,” writes director Stephen Browne in his boardroom notes in today’s edition of Our Town.
“If you see or hear anything, please report it – working together we can stamp out any traces of such behaviour and we can ensure that everyone feels safe and free in an inclusive environment. We are one big Luton Town family and warmly welcome Burnley today, as our visitors also show their support of the campaigns against all forms of discrimination.”
KICK IT OUT:
"Driven forward by our love of sport, we’re here to fight discrimination. We’re here to make sure football is a game for everyone – and that means putting equality and inclusion up front.
"We were set up to fight racism in football in 1993. Then in 1997 we expanded to tackle all forms of discrimination. Since the beginning, we’ve made huge progress on and off the pitch, leading the charge for positive change. We’ve done it by raising awareness, confronting issues and helping our sport be better.
"Today, we run education programmes for academy players, parents and fans. We campaign to make sure football is always welcoming – to everyone. We support people from under-represented and minority communities to make a career in football and thrive. And we call out discrimination wherever it happens – from your local park to the Premier League to your social feed.
"We all know Kick It Out shouldn’t have to exist. Our biggest hope is that one day football no longer needs us.
"But right now we’re here to put an end to every form of discrimination. We won’t stop until it stops."
To find out more about Kick It Out’s work, visit: http://www.kickitout.org/
SHOW RACISM THE RED CARD:
Show Racism the Red Card (SRtRC) is the UK’s leading anti-racism educational charity. It was established in January 1996, thanks in part to a donation by then Newcastle United goalkeeper Shaka Hislop.
At the charity’s first ever event, Shaka and fellow teammate John Beresford visited Gosforth High School in the North East to speak to pupils about his experiences in football and society and the rest is history!
To this day SRtRC continues to utilise the high-profile status of football and football players to help tackle racism in society and has also expanded into other sports. The majority of the campaign’s work involves the delivery of educational workshops to young people and adults in schools, workplaces and at events held in football stadiums. Across the UK, SRtRC provides educational sessions to more than 50,000 individuals per year.
More information on Show Racism The Red Card can be found here: https://www.theredcard.org/
Luton Town Football Club’s commitment is to promote inclusion and to confront and eliminate discrimination, whether by reason of age, disability, gender reassignment, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief.
People can be assured of an environment in which their rights, dignity and individual worth are respected, and in particular that they are able to work and watch football in an environment without the threat of intimidation, victimisation, harassment, bullying and abuse. Should you wish to report a specific incident, please contact your nearest steward or download Kick It Out’s free, confidential reporting app on the App Store or Google Play.
