Midfielder Yves Bissouma attended a seven-a-side under-18 tournament at Douglas Eyre Sports Centre last week to talk about racism in football
Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Yves Bissouma joined young aspiring footballers at a Walthamstow sports club on Friday (5th March).
The event at Douglas Eyre Sports Centre was organised in support of the Premier League’s No Room for Racism campaign and involved matches for twelve seven-a-side under-18 teams from the local area and beyond.
Young players also engaged in a workshop involving a competitive penalty shoot-out element, with players able to have more attempts based on their answers to questions provided by anti-racism organisation Kick It Out.
The tournament was won by the Spurs Foundation Premier League Kicks team, with Yves watching on.
Yves said: “It’s always good to do events like this and meet the kids, and this is why the Foundation is great. Everyone can come, play and enjoy an opportunity they might not have otherwise. It was very special for me today, seeing them enjoy the activities like they did. It made me remember a lot about being young and that love for football.
“It’s important to spread the message that football is for everyone and we don’t have any room for racism. At Spurs, we have players from all over, from South America to South Korea, and we’re one because we play for one club.
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“I’m proud to play in the Premier League. Campaigns like No Room For Racism are an example of why it’s the best league in the world.”
Marquez, from the Spurs Foundation Premier League Kicks team, said: “The Premier League has a huge platform, so I think it is one of the best ways to spread the word of the No Room For Racism campaign.
“I have really enjoyed the session today. There have been lots of different players here, so it has been great to meet new people, and getting to play football as well has been brilliant!”
Omari Chambers-Alert, Foundation programme coordinator, said: “Today has been brilliantly competitive and educational at the same time, a perfect example of how the Foundation uses the power of football and Spurs to help transform lives. To have Yves join us and engage with the players will be a lasting reminder of this event and what it taught them.
“The players also got a lot from speaking to representatives of the Metropolitan Police’s Territorial Support Group and the Godwin Lawson Foundation.
“Diversity is our strength at the Foundation and inclusivity is our guiding principle. We ensure everyone, regardless of background, has a place to belong.”
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