Gary Lineker speaks openly about migration in new film from SRtRC
At 6pm on Wednesday April 10th, the National Education Union hosted the launch of a new film by Show Racism the Red Card (SRtRC) about migration. The film, which features people with lived experience of migration aims to challenge the negative media and government rhetoric around migration and celebrates the enormous value that migration in all its forms brings to the UK
Former England international and Match of the Day presenter, Gary Lineker speaks openly in the film about his feelings on migration and the negative narrative that surrounds it; comments that will doubtlessly result in more ‘he should stick to football’ remarks from government officials and others.
The film is part of a wider campaign by SRtRC and sector partners IMIX and Migrant Voice called ‘Migration. Making Britain Great’. The campaign uses education, facts and sporting role models, to challenge and address many of the myths surrounding migrants and celebrate the enormous contribution made by those who have sought asylum and sanctuary in the UK.
The campaign comes as research by Red Card suggests 70 different nationalities are represented across the 20 different clubs this season. Far from damaging our national team – who seem to be performing better than ever – the diversity has made the PL the envy of world football.
Ged Grebby, CEO at SRtRC, speaks on the impact of Gary’s support:
“The Premier League is the best league in world and much of that is due to the diversity of talent playing in it, with 70 nationalities across 20 clubs, it’s what makes the Premier League great. Show Racism the Red Card have over 27 years of experience in producing anti-racism educational resources using the high profile of professional sports personalities.
“Many of these players have expressed a wish to follow Gary Lineker’s lead in standing up in solidarity with some of the world’s most vulnerable people. SRTRC have a long track record of working with both Gary Lineker and Migrant Voice on a series of films to combat racism towards asylum seekers, refugees and migrants. We are proud to stand in solidarity with refugees and work with our partners to change the narrative around immigration being a negative for our society. The opposite is true: immigration makes Britain great, and we should be celebrating that.”
Nazek Ramadan, Director at Migrant Voice, comments:
“We are immensely proud to be partners with Show Racism the Red Card and IMIX on this incredibly important project. As football shows, immigration, and the diversity it brings, makes our country stronger and more dynamic. We are one team and as a team we all stand together.”
Check out our brand new Migration film, which can be found on our YouTube Channel and Education Hub!