West Bromwich Albion are supporting the EFL’s Together Against Racism campaign when Cardiff City visit The Hawthorns this weekend.
The Baggies host the Bluebirds this Saturday (ko 3pm), with several activities planned to mark the occasion.
The club are delighted to be joined by local steel drum band Tropikal Vizions who will be playing two musical sets on matchday. Supporters can listen to the first outside the East Stand Reception from 12.30-13.15, and the second in the Fan Zone from 14.00-14.45.
In addition, supporters in all home concourses can take advantage of a matchday special of cajun spiced butternut squash and sweet potato soup, accompanied by hardo bread.
Guests dining in the East and West Stand hospitality suites will have the choices of courses that have been shaped by the ingredients and influences of Afro/Caribbean cuisine.
Earlier this week, Premier League Inspires students from four local schools were invited to The Hawthorns to take part in a collapsed curriculum day hosted by The Albion Foundation.
Students participated in a poetry workshop presented by Smethwick-based poet Samantha Jones which explored the theme 'reclaiming narratives' and were then tasked to create a poem in line with the theme.
The winning poem, chosen by Samantha Jones has been featured in the matchday programme and the winners were rewarded with tickets to attend Albion’s fixture this Saturday.
A further three poems have been selected to feature on the big screens during half time, along with a poem written and performed by Samantha Jones.
At the Albion, we believe football is a game for everyone, everywhere, and we are proud of the welcoming atmosphere that our supporters create. However, each season there are hundreds of reports of discrimination across the game, and likely more that go unrecorded.
Whether you’re a player, manager, watching in the stands or at home - your voice matters. Our voices are a powerful tool for change - when we speak up, come together and use our voices we can drive change.
A man who used his voice to champion equality and inclusion in football and beyond, was the founder of anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out, Lord Ouseley, who sadly passed away earlier this month. He dedicated his life to fighting racism and promoting diversity, and significant strides have been made in tackling discrimination thanks to his work.
Racism will not be tolerated and we stand together to remove it from our game. Albion will take swift and firm action against anyone identified in making racist or discriminatory behaviour, working with the relevant authorities to ensure perpetrators face club sanctions and police action.
The EFL stands side by side with clubs, players, managers and supporters in a zero-tolerance approach to tackling racism in our game. If you witness racist or discriminatory abuse, you can report it directly through Kick It Out, the club’s reporting mechanisms, or by alerting a steward.
Together with the other footballing bodies, we will continue to make football a safer, more welcoming and enjoyable space for everyone. West Bromwich Albion and all of football stands Together Against Racism and all forms of discrimination.
Report racism here (Kick It Out) or here (EFL & West Bromwich Albion).
