As UEFA’s leading club competition resume after the pandemic enforced shut down, European football’s governing body has launched a campaign to say ‘Thank You’ to all the key workers for their tireless and brave work on the pandemic frontline.
The most high profile strand of the initiative sees the shirts of every player competing carry the words ‘Thank You’ in their team’s chosen language
The shirt message isn’t the only symbol of European football’s recognition and appreciation of those directly battling COVID-19.
During all of August’s round of 16 games in the Champions League, Europa League and UEFA Youth League, as well as in the Women’s Champions League quarter-finals, a minute’s silence will be observed before kick-off to honour all victims of the pandemic.
Plus, players are leading by example too with dedicated TV spots being broadcast during UEFA matches in which starts from each of the team competing in the men’s and women’s UEFA tournaments express their own thanks in person.
There is also a hero UEFA social video featuring soccer players saying thank you.
“I am delighted that our competitions are back, but we must not forget the people whose dedication and personal sacrifices have given us the opportunity to start playing again,” said UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin on Monday.
“Football’s gratitude is not limited to words. This unprecedented period has taught us that football really can be an important vehicle for good,” added the UEFA president.
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According to the campaign’s press release, saying thank you will carry special meaning for players, officials and staff representing all of the teams taking part in the final stages of UEFA’s 2019/20 club competitions this month.
The UEFA initiative follows on from FIFA’s earlier #WeWillWin thank you pandemic campaign (see case study) and a raft of club-specific initiatives reflecting football’s strong community ties, as well as their support initiatives for local hospitals, charities, schools and care homes.
In addition to the ‘Thank You’ message on their shirts, all the captains taking part in UEFA club competitions in August are expected to wear ‘No to Racism’ armbands as a reminder of UEFA and European football’s united opposition to any kind of discrimination, whether in sport or wider society.
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