Football Unites, Racism Divides (FURD) is a community group founded by Sheffield United supporters in 1995. It tackles racism and discriminatory abuse in football and society. In reaction to the recent refugees crisis the group has welcomed people fleeing from war and persecution in their homes and said: #refugeeswelcome. The group sent a humanitarian mini-bus to the Hungarian boarder to support arriving refugees with food and other supply materials. Weekly kick-about sessions with refugees from the local camp in Sheffield are offered in the “U-Mix Centre”.
The group is supporting the Stadia of Sanctuary campaign, which seeks to encourage professional football clubs to welcome refugees through a more formally organised and sustainable programme.

FURD have also launched a season long programme named Football Supporting Refugees encouraging fans in Sheffield to engage with refugees and asylum seekers living in the city by attending matches together on a regular basis.

For more information about the group’s work with refugees and asylum-seekers, see the organisation’s homepage or mail Chris Stone.