In Pictures

Gallery|Refugees

Yorkshire ‘Football for All’ project helping refugees

Football club Yorkshire St Pauli’s grassroot initiative helps support those in the UK forced to flee their countries.

Football for all/ DO NOT USE/ RESTRICTED
Whilst football's international governing bodies and many national associations have official anti-racism programmes in place, many fans believe not enough is being done to combat discrimination in the sport. Yorkshire St Pauli (YSP) is one of several grassroots football initiatives in the UK that challenge all forms of discrimination. [Rich Wiles/Al Jazeera]
By Rich Wiles
Published On 28 Oct 2015

Leeds, UK– The British government has faced criticism for its lack of response to the huge numbers of refugees who are heading to Europe in search of safety, yet within the country various grassroots initiatives have been launched to support those fleeing their homes and countries.

Among these initiatives, a small but dedicated group of football fans, who originally met through their love of the Hamburg-based left-wing club, St Pauli, organise various football-related events with refugees and asylum seekers who are already in the UK.

Yorkshire St Pauli (YSP) was formed in 2011 by a handful of St Pauli supporters in the Yorkshire city of Leeds, who were “sick of watching games surrounded by fans to whom racist, sexist and homophobic taunts were still the order of the day”.

Initially established to watch St Pauli matches with “like-minded people,” YSP went on to launch their ‘Football for All’ project in 2014, with the support of local refugee and asylum seeker support organisations.

Rooted in YSP’s left-wing values, the organisation says ‘Football for All’ is a “drop-in football kickabout where everyone is welcome”.

Football for all/ DO NOT USE/ RESTRICTED
Alongside several Syrians, refugees and asylum seekers from various other countries including Eritrea, Yemen, Libya, and Iraq participate in the 'Football for All' project alongside local YSP members. [Rich Wiles/Al Jazeera]
Advertisement
Football for all/ DO NOT USE/ RESTRICTED
'Ferhad' is one of several Syrians who play weekly with YSP. Originally from the Kurdish town of Kobane, he made his way to the UK via the French port of Calais: "Things are very bad in Syria, people have no food in many places, but people have been great to us [in the UK]". [Rich Wiles/Al Jazeera]
Football for all/ DO NOT USE/ RESTRICTED
Many of YSP's social media followers have answered appeals for donations of football kit for the project. A supply of kit and football boots was also donated by 'Lionsraw' - a non-profit organisation originating in the north of England - that works to "mobilise football fans to make a difference by creating chances for change at home and away". [Rich Wiles/Al Jazeera]
Football for all/ DO NOT USE/ RESTRICTED
After fleeing the dictatorial Afwerki regime in Eritrea, 'Robel' arrived in the UK one year ago: "I used to play football in Eritrea. I hope to return to my country one day, but I can't until there is a new government - it's not safe and we can't feed our families." [Rich Wiles/Al Jazeera]
Football for all/ DO NOT USE/ RESTRICTED
Rob Carroll was among the founders of YSP and organises weekly screenings of St Pauli matches in Leeds: "I became disillusioned with English football due to the racism I heard at matches. I think that all of us at YSP unanimously believe that not enough is being done by the British government to support refugees globally." [Rich Wiles/Al Jazeera]
Football for all/ DO NOT USE/ RESTRICTED
The Wharf Chambers Cooperative Club is one of the venues in which YSP members gather to watch internet streamings of St Pauli games. YSP members chose the venue as they see it as "a safe space in Leeds city centre which is tolerant and inclusive, and which bans troublemakers." [Rich Wiles/Al Jazeera]
Advertisement
Football for all/ DO NOT USE/ RESTRICTED
Nicole Cunliffe is the only Yorkshire-based German member of YSP. "Germany can be very divisive, you're either from 'the left' or from 'the right'. I had been to a few different matches in Germany but when I went to St Pauli I was hooked, I felt at home. Women play an active role in the club and our voices are listened to." [Rich Wiles/Al Jazeera]
Football for all/ DO NOT USE/ RESTRICTED
YSP were among teams that participated in the 'Balls to Borders' football tournament which was organised as a solidarity and fund-raising event to support refugees stranded in makeshift camps in Calais attempting to reach the UK. [Rich Wiles/Al Jazeera]
Football for all/ DO NOT USE/ RESTRICTED
Sophie Whitley was one of the organisers of the 'Balls to Borders' tournament: "When you are in the privileged position of being able to eat a hot meal and live in your own house, and you know others cannot do that ... I can't do that without trying to do something to support those people." [Rich Wiles/Al Jazeera]
Football for all/ DO NOT USE/ RESTRICTED
The British government announced plans in September to resettle 20,000 Syrian refugees in the country over the next five years. Prior to that announcement, official figures showed that only 216 Syrian refugees had been officially relocated by the British government, whilst a further 4,866 Syrians who found ways to enter the country independently had been granted asylum since early 2011. [Rich Wiles/Al Jazeera]
Football for all/ DO NOT USE/ RESTRICTED
The 'Balls to Borders' football tournament raised more than £1,500. The money was donated to organisations working on the ground with refugees in Calais and also to the Leeds-based refugee and asylum-seeker support centre PAFRAS, which is among the organisations supporting YSP's 'Football for All' project. [Rich Wiles/Al Jazeera]
Football for all/ DO NOT USE/ RESTRICTED
Mid-way through a match earlier this year, YSP walked off the pitch after hearing sexist comments directed at the female referee. The abuse was reported to the venue but YSP players collectively agreed "to walk out and stand up for the values and ethos of YSP". [Rich Wiles/Al Jazeera]
Football for all/ DO NOT USE/ RESTRICTED
YSP have received support from local community-based organisations including HAMARA and PAFRAS. The 'Powerleague' five-a-side football centre also provides its pitches at a substantially discounted price, offering further community backing to 'Football for All.' [Rich Wiles/Al Jazeera]
Football for all/ DO NOT USE/ RESTRICTED
Yorkshire St Pauli's constitution echoes the values of the left-wing football club based in Hamburg: "St Pauli is more than a football club. It has a strong and passionate stance against all forms of discrimination. Members of Yorkshire St Pauli should support ... (and) act in accordance with this ethos." [Rich Wiles/Al Jazeera]