Rochdale AFC are proud to support Kick It Out’s Week of Action at this Saturday’s match at home to Sunderland.
Players from both Dale and Sunderland, along with the match officials, will be wearing Kick It Out t-shirts during the warm-ups.
In addition, the captains of Rochdale and Sunderland will exchange Kick It Out pennants prior to kick-off.
The Club and Dale In The Community Sports Trust will also support Kick It Out at Dale’s final home match of the season, against Southend United on Saturday 28th April.
Kick It Out’s Week of Action runs from Saturday 30th March to Sunday 7th April, with the EFL and its Clubs also supporting the Premier League’s No Room for Racism messaging. Following recent high-profile incidents of discrimination, it is important that football responds at this challenging time, with the League and all 72 Clubs again reiterating that there is absolutely no place for racism in football or society.
Underpinned by the EFL’s Code of Practice and Equality Standard, EFL Clubs have made an important difference across the last 25 years by challenging and reporting discriminatory behaviour and practices, delivering role models, both on and off the pitch and introducing initiatives to broaden the diversity of the workforce.
EFL Chief Executive Shaun Harvey said: “Progress continues to be made in tackling all forms of discrimination across every level of the game but, clearly, it is evident from a number of recent high profile and distasteful incidents at matches at home and abroad that racism remains an issue society needs to address and football can play its part.
“Over the last 25 years Kick It Out has made a significant contribution to the ongoing fight for inclusivity across the game and those efforts have supported and supplemented by the work of the EFL which include the introduction of the Code of Practice, the BAME recruitment code and other EFL-wide initiatives such as Enjoy the Match.
“We will continue to work with Clubs, Kick It Out and other football bodies at such an important time, to ensure the EFL remains visible and committed to promoting a fully welcoming, diverse and inclusive environment for supporters, players, staff and within wider communities.”
Everyone attending or taking part in a football match has the right to feel safe, valued and included and we encourage supporters to continue to play their part in this. If you witness racist behaviour at a match or around a stadium, please report it to the police or a steward. You can also report racism by using the Kick It Out reporting app or website via this link: https://www.kickitout.org/forms/online-reporting-form.