PREMIER LEAGUE bosses are in hot water over attempts to block a homelessness charity's attempt to raise awareness over the issue this Christmas.
Shelter, the homelessness charity, are planning to raise awareness of homelessness by getting Premier League clubs at home to wear away kits on Boxing Day.
The publication Sportsmail have stated that up to nine Premier League clubs set to play at home on December 26th were approached by Shelter over wearing the away kits over plans to make the day an “annual event where football fights homelessness” for new campaign No Home Kit.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 30: Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City lays a wreath of poppies as part of the Remembrance Day proceedings . (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)Clubs like Wolves and Brighton have been shocked by the block over the symbolic gesture.
The Premier League have stated they haven't blocked anything, but felt it didn't comply with the rules set already. The rules state all home kits should be worn at home as they are the priority.
However clubs are allowed to change their shirt sponsor once per season to support good causes.
The lack of support for the initiative has incited a furious reaction on social media with former Manchester United defender and Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville leading the calls for a rethink, referencing past fan rebellions against pay-per-view matches and the mooted European Super League.
Pundits and fans have taken to social media to condemn the Premier League's stance on the issue. Gary Neville the Sky Sports pundit and former Manchester United defender.
Neville tweeted: “Imagine refusing a request to raise money and awareness for homelessness. A Johnson like u-turn on its way if the clubs push hard!”
Imagine refusing a request to raise money and awareness for homelessness . A Johnson like u-turn on its way if the clubs push hard ! https://t.co/afQIRL3ROw
— Gary Neville (@GNev2) November 9, 2021
Shelter plans to move forward with the campaign which they are calling No Home Kit. The gesture will “powerfully show support” for more than 180,000 households who have lost their homes and been made homeless during the pandemic ,said the charity.
“We believe ‘home’ means everything. We want to use the positive power of football this Christmas, and our shared connection to ‘home’, to raise awareness of homelessness and what we can all do to fight it,” said Osama Bhutta, director of campaigns at Shelter.
“No Home Kit is a simple Boxing Day campaign where clubs and fans swap their home colours for their away or third kit. This will powerfully show their support for all those without a safe home today.
“We want as many teams, players and fans as possible to join No Home Kit and work with us to help those experiencing the harsh realities of homelessness this winter. Everyone involved in No Home Kit can do something special by bringing the entire football community together to fight the housing emergency.”
Several clubs like Aston Villa, Burnley, Brighton, Liverpool, Manchester City, Norwich, Tottenham and West Ham are all due to play at home on December 26 with Newcastle United playing at home the following day.
Shelter have also approached the EFL – the three divisions below the Premier League – to do the same in what they hope will be “their version of Save the Children’s Christmas Jumper Day”.
Rules mean they can’t help a homelessness charity.
Rules mean they can let a country with an appalling human rights record buy a great football club. https://t.co/pW3irr5SaJ— Max Rushden 💙 (@maxrushden) November 9, 2021
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