LFC and Anzhi help kick it out
The LFC Supporters' Committee recently took the initiative to promote equality and tackling racism in Europe as part of the Kick it Out and FARE week of action prior to the Europa League clash with Anzhi Makhachkala.
Abu Nasir, who heads Liverpool's large ethnic minority fan base, and Les Wright, representing away fans, developed a partnership link with Anzhi supporters to build up cohesion, integration and a memorandum of understanding to tackle discrimination within football by sharing good practice and promoting projects and ideas.
Liverpool provided the resources during the two days which included promoting the 'One Game, One Community' initiative on the Anfield pitch a day prior to the match.
The occasion was also used to mark the launch of LFC's Supporters' Committee motto, 'We are Pro Liverpool and Anti Nobody' - the words of Liverpool's former manager, the great Bill Shankly.
Abu also met with Anzhi manager Guus Hiddink, director of football and Brazilian legend Roberto Carlos and Cameroon star Samuel Eto'o to help promote the event.
Prior to the evening of the match, members of the LFC Supporters' Committee greeted the Anzhi fans and held an event hosted by the city's Hilton Hotel where every visiting fan was presented with a 'certificate of friendship'. A partnership with Anzhi supporters was also officially launched.
Both Abu and Les then hosted a 90-minute question and answer session, with the aim of increasing awareness in relation to equalities and the role of football clubs and its supporters in tackling discrimination, as well as discussions on having regular dialogue and creating linkages between the two clubs.
The successful event ensured a friendly atmosphere for the match and a longer term partnership between Liverpool and Anzhi fans.
Anzhi have invited Abu and Les to the return match in Moscow next week, where they will hold a 'friendship event' and present the LFC Supporters' Committee with a memento to mark their friendship and long-term partnership work prior to the match at the Stadium Lokomotiv.
Abu, who has been a long-term campaigner to tackle discrimination and inequality, said: "Liverpool has a very diverse fan base and one of the biggest following from supporters of an ethnic minority background, and the club itself have been ahead of the game for over 20 years in tackling discrimination, which hasn't been highlighted enough in the mainstream media.
"Liverpool fans are a very educated and intelligent lot when it comes to football and wider social issues and we are using our influence to ensure we can use Liverpool FC and football in general as a toolkit to make a positive impact in football and society as a whole.
"The initiative with Anzhi is a stepping stone for more positive work in the foreseeable future."