When the coronavirus hit Europe this year, amateur teams temporarily mobilized to the maximum vulnerable in their communities.
With witty, cleverly written songs, jaw-dropping tifos and logistical expertise aplenty, many clubs’ supporters’ groups are very well-organised and proud bodies.
So, it was only natural that when the novel coronavirus struck Europe earlier this year, they quickly called upon their honed organisational processes and committed members to help their local communities in whatever way they could. Because of their set-ups, many were able to mobilise very swiftly, ensuring the needs of the vulnerable members of their region were met as soon as possible. The below are just a few examples of the huge amount of effort put in across Europe by fans’ groups over the last six months.
A joint organization of Everton and Liverpool enthusiasts has helped fuel the city’s vulnerable by setting up a food centre to fill the void left by collections at football matches.Fans Supporting Foodbanks then addressed key staff and created the Merseyside PPE Hub.Together with their partners, they helped produce and distribute more than 25,000 visors, piles of scrubs and more than 3,000 face masks in the region, before distributing another 5,000 protective visors to key UK city staff.
A joint initiative led by amateur teams across the continent has been the launch of fundraising events for local organizations fighting the pandemic.The rocks affiliated with Real Zaragoza were encouraged to make a donation to the Brotherhood of the Refuge of Zaragoza and its purpose of 10,000 euros reached in two weeks.
In France, Saint-Etienne supporters have created their own funds, and the money raised is used to buy food or appliances for many hospitals in the region. In the west of the country, Brest enthusiasts did the same with all the benefits destined for the University Hospital of Brest.
Lokomotiv Plovdiv’s official fan club presented the “pLOVEdiv vs.COVID 19”, which increased the budget for acquiring high-tech hospital equipment such as resuscitation beds and video laryngoscopes.They also contributed otherwise, partnering with the region’s transfusion hematology center to organize blood donations.Supporters of the club responded in large numbers to supply Bulgarian fitness with mandatory blood reserves at a time when they were fully exhausted.
Many fan teams have combined volunteering and fundraising activities.”Help together!” Stuttgart! The crusade mobilized a large number of volunteers and budget for other vulnerable people in the surrounding communities.
Spartak Moskva fans in the Russian capital helped fellow Spartak enthusiasts in Vladimir City, east of Moscow. They focused on helping struggling families, with food kits provided to more than a hundred families and more than 170 in total receiving assistance.
Groups of Wrocaw Fans of the wonderful Silesia and Razem enthusiasts ‘El’sk Wrocaw have made joint efforts with many other followers from Poland and Europe. They arranged to obtain donations from others while shopping for food and provided assistance to the hospital and paramedics. Some of the key pieces that were distributed included mineral water, coffee, tea, protective devices (gloves, masks, wetsuits) and electric kettles.
Dutch supporters’ group FSV De Feijenoorder wanted to make more of a club-related gesture to the nursing homes in Rotterdam and the surrounding area. They delivered editions of their Hand in Hand magazine, along with a number of red and white items such as scarves and cups.
Recognizing that hospitals were complete and that all staff were protected with special global adjustments that made them un identifiable and perhaps less human, more robotic, FSV De Feijenoorder discovered a solution. In April, they delivered a hundred pairs of red and white socks to the Ikazia hospital to distinguish fitness staff and bring a touch of personality to a necessarily sterile environment.
UEFA recognizes the incredible solidarity and efforts of amateur groups across Europe for the pandemic and will continue to paint in collaboration with its Football Partners Europe and SD Europe partners. UEFA President Aleksander ‘Eferin’ said: “The fitness crisis has once again underlined the importance of fans, and the help they provide to their groups throughout the year makes football an exclusive game. Our game lacks something special that you only get with The Fans. “
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