SAFC hero Djilobodji visits Sunderland school to raise awareness of anti-hate drive

Sunderland centre back Papy Djilobodji on a visit East Herrington Primary School.

The centre back visited East Herrington Primary School while supporting football’s equality and inclusion organisation Kick It Out’s ‘Call Full Time On Hate’ .

The Senegal international joined around 60 pupils to help raise awareness of the scheme, while signing autographs and taking part in an educational class before giving away tickets for the youngsters to attend Sunderland’s forthcoming home game against Burnley.

This Saturday’s game will see Sunderland give their backing to the #CallFullTimeOnHate campaign and in addition to its support at the event, both teams wear Kick It Out t-shirts.

The Black Cats will also be supporting the initiative across social media, as well as through Kick It Out posters, t-shirts and LED board advertisements inside the Stadium of Light.

Djilobodji said: “It’s important that we can raise awareness of the really important work that Kick It Out do in football.

"Any form of discrimination has no place in football and the whole game needs to do everything they can to stamp it out of the game at all levels.”

Kick It Out chairman Lord Herman Ouseley reiterated rising levels of hate in society and believes support from professional clubs is an important step in tackling the issue.

“Our anti-hate initiative aims to build on existing positive education and awareness-raising projects supported by clubs and their foundations in their local communities," he said.

“Football is at the forefront of helping its fans, players and young people in their local communities to understand the damaging effects of prejudice and discriminatory abuse."

During the 2016/17 season, Kick It Out aims to engage the collective force of football to tackle discrimination and hate incidents at every level of the game.

Since 1993, Kick It Out has worked throughout the football, educational and community sectors to challenge discrimination, encourage inclusive practices and campaign for positive change.

The initiative also seeks to highlight the positive messages of inclusion echoed by the football authorities, clubs, players, managers and supporters’ groups.