April 3 – Manchester United have launched two Easter campaigns with compelling social action messages. Through its foundation and its co-operation with FareShare it will distribute 21,300 food hampers to families in Manchester. At the same time the club has continued its anti-discrimination campaign with the roll out of SEE RED.
SEE RED is the latest Man Utd campaign to confront racism and discrimination in the game. The club’s black players have frequently felt the brunt of racial social media abuse, for both on an off-field activity, and the club has frequently condemned the abuse.
But that has not been enough and now the club has moved the campaign from words and videos to action, encouraging fans to take responsibility for reporting incidents of racism or other hate crimes and stand up for those on the end of racial abuse.
The club has set up a new online reporting system for fans to use via manutd.com/seered. The club said it will work with the Premier League to escalate any complaints received to the social media platforms and the relevant authorities . It also calls on the social platforms to act faster and get tougher against online racists.
Richard Arnold, Manchester United’s Group Managing Director Arnold, emphasised: “It is not good enough for us all to sit silently on the sidelines when we see or read racist remarks or behaviour. Inaction has a consequence. We must call it out. We must not tolerate it. If you see it or read it – report it.”
SEE RED is the latest extension of the All Red All Equal anti-discrimination programme that began way back in 2016, and sadly has to continue ever more forcefully. The new campaign features a video which challenges United fans to think – ‘Without diversity, who would we be? What would the club’s history books say?’ It highlights Andy Cole’s title-clinching goal versus Tottenham in the Treble season, Jesse Lingard’s cup-winning screamer in 2016, and Marcus Rashford’s injury-time penalty in the comeback against PSG among great Manchester United. The club reminds fans these moments would not have happened without diversity and the contribution of black and Asian players to the club’s history.
As well as the campaign film and online activity, the giant seat wraps in the lower tiers at Old Trafford have been replaced ahead of the match against Brighton this weekend. The new design will stay in place for the remaining games taking place behind closed doors this season while ensuring that the anti-discrimination message is see worldwide.
“All Red All Equal is a promise which we take seriously,” said Arnold. “We are proud of the rich diversity of our players and our fans. This club is open for all and we count on the support of our fans to keep it that way.”
Hungry for change
To date FareShare Greater Manchester has diverted 150 tonnes of ambient food for Foundation and club staff to pack and deliver to families in Manchester.
Following on from 80,000 meals donated to families last Christmas, a further 21,300 food hampers will be delivered over the Easter holidays.
Over the last eight weeks, 383,000 food items have been diverted by FareShare, for packing and distributed by Foundation and club staff to 40 schools across Greater Manchester.
Miranda Kaunang, head of development for FareShare Greater Manchester, said: “At a time when the need for our service has never been higher, the response from the club and Manchester United Foundation to support those most vulnerable has been phenomenal. FareShare supplies hundreds of schools across the UK, and we understand from their feedback that the need is particularly acute among families in some communities. Here in Greater Manchester, we are proud to continue playing a part in the fight against hunger with the support of partners like Manchester United and the Foundation.”
Contact the writer of this story at paul.nicholson@insideworldfootball.com