Euro 2020: Speaking out against racism

by British Red Cross chief executive Mike Adamson

Last updated 14 July 2021

We have been extremely saddened to see and hear of abusive online reactions aimed at some of England’s incredible players following the Euro 2020 football final between England and Italy on Sunday 10 July.

We stand with Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka – each man a role model and a driver of social change – as we do all Black communities around the world. Today and always.

Our neutrality principle means we don’t align ourselves with political movements or parties. We believe in humanity, and our teams help people in crisis, whoever they are and whatever their background. But it does not prevent us from speaking out – in fact, it compels us to.

As we work towards a society based on equality and fairness, we commit to continuing to play our part in listening and mobilising. There are no two sides to racism - it's discrimination, it's wrong and we reject it. 

For us, as a humanitarian organisation, these events serve as a vital reminder that we need to work hard, at all times and in every situation, to put time, resource and value into truly listening to people’s experiences. We want to take action that will bring about meaningful change.

At their very core, our Fundamental Principles are anti-racist, and we will use our voice to stamp out discrimination, no matter what form it takes.