Josuha helps Show Racism the Red Card

Leeds United midfielder Josuha Guilavogui recently attended an important Show Racism the Red Card workshop, delivered to students from a local primary school.

Sixty pupils from Year Four at Five Lanes Primary School descended on Elland Road, taking part in an informative session highlighting what racism is, how to spot it and, most importantly, the work being done to eradicate it and other forms of discrimination.

Show Racism the Red Card is the UK’s leading anti-racism educational charity and partnered with the Leeds United Foundation’s Premier League Primary Stars initiative to run the session.

Midfielder Guilavogui was on hand to help reinforce the key themes, chatting with the youngsters about his experiences before posing for photos and signing autographs.

Speaking at the event, Josuha discussed the importance of such workshops to help in the fight against discrimination.

“I think anti-racism is one of our battles from yesterday, today, and hopefully not tomorrow,” the former France international explained. “We have to start with the kids because they are the future of the world and it is very important for them to understand that racism has no place in our world, no place in our society, and not in football.

“Like I said to the children today, when you see our squad, we have players from Asia, from Africa, from Europe and from America. So, this is a really important message and I hope that they can understand it and they will show love to each other.

“I think what is most important is the education, and the education starts at a very young age. I have never seen a kid say something racist to another kid, but it comes when people are growing up, so that is why it is very important to find the biases and to fight against them as soon as we can.”

The Premier League Primary Stars Programme uses the appeal of football to inspire and engage primary children to learn, be active and develop important life skills, by supporting a range of subjects from English and Maths to Physical Education and PSHE.

Tara Nolan, Premier League Primary Stars Lead at the Leeds United Foundation, added: “One of the big focuses for us is any anti-discrimination workshops we can do. As part of the initiative, these are the crucial messages we are trying to get across.

“The kids have had an absolutely fantastic day. They weren’t sure who was going to come, but as soon as they saw Josuha, their eyes lit up and I think it has made their day or maybe even their year so far.

“I think it is important having that role model and having them here in person speaking to you. It is massively different to watching a video or seeing somebody on social media. Actually sitting and listening to someone like Josuha, I think it hits home the important messages a little bit more.”

More information about the Premier League Primary Stars programme can be found HERE. More information about Show Racism the Red Card can be found HERE.