The launch of 'FootbALL' marks the beginning of an extensive campaign to ensure an age of opportunity under the banner of inclusivity and equality in European football by working closely with all its stakeholders to foster positive social change.

The campaign rests on three pillars - the Campaign, the Platform and the Activation - bringing together all UEFA sustainability initiatives, events and campaigns. This new initiative is structured around UEFA's ongoing commitment to leveraging football as a catalyst for positive social change, through a simple but meaningful message: everyone is welcome in football.

FootbALL aims to encourage new educational actions and amplify existing ones, such as the 'Outraged educational programme', by further informing the public about the efforts of UEFA, its member organisations and football partners in favour of inclusion and equality in European football.
The scheme also contributes to achieving the objectives of UEFA's Sustainability Strategy, which aim to inspire, activate and accelerate collective action in support of social and environmental sustainability within the continental context.

UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin is convinced of how the power of football can facilitate this process of change: "Football, with its universal language, can break barriers and unite hearts. Inclusiveness and open-mindedness are the keys to unlocking the true potential of our sport. By opening its arms to everyone, regardless of their social status, gender or orientation, football has the ability to create a playing field where everyone feels welcome, respected and valued. With the 'FootbALL' initiative,' adds Čeferin, 'we aim to foster an environment in which talent can flourish without discrimination and dreams have no boundaries'.

"The FIGC - underlines president Gabriele Gravina - supports the 'FootbALL' project with determination, sharing its values and objectives both in the actions undertaken so far and that we will continue to pursue. The commitment made by the FIGC in the development of women's football, in the Paralympic sphere and in the inclusion of disadvantaged minors through the numerous projects undertaken goes beyond the federation sphere, to extend the field of intervention into the social sphere. We strongly believe in the extraordinary multidimensionality of football and how it can be a tool at the service of the community to break down all existing barriers'.

The video accompanying the 'FootbALL' campaign tells the stories of people in the football community from different backgrounds and with different roles: from referee to groundskeeper, from fan to coach. The aim is to challenge public prejudices and preconceptions about the characters to show that, despite their differences and unique qualities, they are an integral part of football. Exemplary in the video is the story of Linda Repetti, ground maintenance worker at the 'Luigi Ferraris' stadium in Genoa: "People are surprised when I tell them what job I do, because in football there are not many women employed in a similar role. I have always fought and worked hard for it'.

The campaign programme will officially kick off at the UEFA Champions League Final in Istanbul, where 'FootbALL' will be featured on the pitch perimeter, on UEFA's big screens and social media platforms, at the Champions Festival venues and on the shirts of the Legends involved in promoting the event. Among them will be former French international Patrick Vieira: "Football is unique because it is able to transcend the boundaries of nationality, ethnicity, gender and religion. From an early age, children learn to play together and learn a common language, that of football. We have a duty to love and protect diversity in football, so that everyone can feel a respected part of this community'.

Later this month, the first 'FootbALL' awards will be presented to football associations, clubs and players and leagues that, through their projects, have contributed significantly to fostering inclusion, equality and diversity in football. In the 2023/24 and subsequent seasons, the 'FootbALL' programme will be further implemented in the context of both UEFA and national competitions in close cooperation with member associations.