Roman Kemp visits refugee football team for Sport Relief

ROMAN Kemp met Fair Shot FC, a football team who have been brought together as part a Fair Shot campaign, supported by Refugee Council and Sport Relief funding. The visit is featured in a film released today. During his visit, Roman joined the team, who is made up of refugees and people seeking asylum, to understand more about their experiences and how they have come together through their shared love of the beautiful game.

As part of the Fair Shot campaign, which is supported by Refugee Council and Sport Relief funding, Roman joined the team to enjoy a game of football before sitting down to chat about their experiences and the role the game has played in their lives. Some of those powerful conversations have been captured in a new film.

The Fair Shot FC squad is made up of players from Afghanistan, El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico, Namibia, Senegal, Sudan, Sri Lanka, Syria and The Gambia. Each player on the team has fled their home countries due to conflict and/or persecution. They told Roman how Fair Shot FC has helped them all to find a safe space and build friendships, through their shared love of football.

Roman listened to their personal experiences as they shared the pitch during a kickaround, and also reflected on his own personal experiences of using football to support his mental health during difficult times.

Roman Kemp said:

“Visiting Fair Shot has been a truly powerful experience. Football has always been the one place I can always go to where I feel comfortable. When you’re on that pitch, it’s not about where anyone is from, or what their background is, because you are part of this community that’s out there playing together.

“Hearing their stories and watching how the sport helps them find community after such difficult journeys was inspiring. It reminded me just how much football can bring people together, and I’m proud to support a project that’s making such a genuine impact.”

Mohammed, a member of the Fair Shot FC team from Afghanistan said:

“I started playing football when I was nine years old. I was born in a country where everything was difficult and one of the few things that made me feel powerful was football.I am so happy and thankful to be part of Fair Shot as it gives me the opportunity to play the game I love so much, make friends and have new and positive experiences here in the UK.” 

Liubov, Assistant Coach at Fair Shot FC from Ukraine said: 

“When you love something, you just feel it. Being here is great because I feel safe. It’s a great time for the players because when they’re here, they don’t think about anything else going on in their lives, they just smile and play.”

This season, Fair Shot has partnered with clubs across English football including Wolverhampton Wanderers, Sheffield Wednesday, Rotherham United and Preston North End. Throughout the season Fair Shot FC will travel the country to each of the partnered teams to take part in friendly 5-a-side matches and other challenges with fans of each club. The campaign aims to grow a football movement that unites fans all over the country towards a goal of fairness and compassion for all.

For over 25 years, Comic Relief has been committed to funding projects that provide safe shelter for marginalised communities. Money raised by this summer’s Sport Relief campaign is funding organisations that are using the power of sport to change lives by helping to break down barriers, put roofs over heads, tackle hunger and support people with their mental health.

For more information on how you can get involved with Sport Relief, please visit: comicrelief.com/sportrelief.