Skip to content

Manchester United's Paul Pogba 'honoured' to be part of UEFA equality campaign

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Paul Pogba urges players to respect each other more whilst playing football

Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba is thrilled to be a part of UEFA's new Respect campaign promoting greater inclusion, diversity and accessibility in football.

Pogba joined UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin to support the #EqualGame campaign - which has evolved from UEFA's 'No to Racism' initiative - ahead of Thursday's Champions League group stage draw.

FIFA Ballon d'Or nominees Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo
Image: Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are both supporting UEFA's campaign

Combating racism remains a fundamental part of UEFA's #EqualGame campaign, which now includes all forms of discrimination.

The initiative has the support of La Liga stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi as well as Lyon and Norway Women's striker Ada Hegerberg.

Pogba, who arrived at the Monaco event with the hashtag #Equal shaved into his hair, said: "It's all about respect, all about equality everywhere in the world. We're all equal when we play football.

"This campaign, I'm really honoured to do it. We do what we love on the pitch and that's the message we want to give to everyone.

"Outside the pitch you're just you, I'm just Paul, normal Paul. We're human beings. We're not gods. We're just normal people who should respect each other because we're all equal.

Also See:

"The message we can give on the pitch and outside the pitch can help the world."

UEFA president Ceferin arrived at the event wearing a T-shirt adorned with the slogan "Everyone can enjoy football, no matter who you are, where you're from or how you play".

The Slovenian insisted campaigns were all very well but insists UEFA will take action where necessary to tackle discrimination in football.

Live WCQ

He said: "If you want to be a social fair play organisation you have to clearly say no to racism, to sexism, to homophobia, to any discrimination, to discrimination of disabled people or any other.

"The important thing is that you act. That you don't just make TV spots. It's much more than just football; our power has to be used."

Around Sky