Former Premier League stars Rio Ferdinand, Joe Cole and Steve McManaman teamed up in North Belfast on Tuesday to help tackle the scourge of online abuse.
They were joined by ex-England manager Glenn Hoddle and England women’s legend Eniola Aluko to kick-off a special exhibition match aimed at raising awareness of online hate and discrimination among young people.
BT’s Hope United and the UEFA Foundation for Children hosted the match at Crusaders Football Club’s Seaview ground, which comes on the eve of the UEFA Super Cup being held in Belfast.
Hope United, a campaign launched by BT – broadcasters of Wednesday’s UEFA Super Cup – brings together a diverse team of footballers from Northern Ireland, England, Wales, and Scotland with the aim of driving change by giving digital skills to people on how to protect themselves and others online.
Tuesday’s match involved children aged between 14 and 17 from community projects across Northern Ireland that are helping to bridge the sectarian divide and care for refugees who have settled here.
Organised by the Irish FA, who are hosting the Super Cup, the game was treated like a professional match in that it was filmed by six cameras and presented by Ferdinand and former England international Aluko, with Darren Fletcher and Liverpool legend McManaman in the commentary booth.
“It is always nice to be in Belfast. They love football here and you are always well received,” said former Manchester United defender Ferdinand.
“This is a great opportunity for the young players today, but it is also about spreading that message on how to deal with online abuse and discrimination.
“BT have played a pivotal role in that, and UEFA are now working alongside them, and we give the campaign our full support.”
Rio Ferdinand and Eni Aluko are pictured with Kenny Ximenes and Sean Moore
(Image: Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye)
Eni Aluko, Glenn Hoddle, Rio Ferdinand and Joe Cole are pictured with some of the young people who will be playing in the Hope United match
(Image: Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye)
Ferdinand added: “Social media is a shift from what we knew as players. We played a game then switched off.
“The abuse, and banter, was generally reserved for the stadiums where we played. But the players nowadays, they are on their phones all the time. And many of then are on social media and can’t escape the criticism and abuse.
“We want to try and teach people techniques on how to combat online hate.
“There will always be people who will spout online hate and discrimination. It is about how we combat that and how we deal with it, using different techniques and being equipped with the right tools.”
The two teams were managed by former Chelsea star Cole and Tottenham legend and ex-England boss Hoddle, with the match featuring in a Hope United documentary that will be broadcast ahead of the Super Cup on Wednesday evening.
Hoddle told Belfast Live: “It is an enjoyable day for the kids, but there is also an important reason behind the game.
“When you get a football out, it is a language of its own. The kids communicate with each other through playing football.
“I am in the dugout again, and from what I have seen so far the boys and girls have good skills and it is a nice surface to play on.
Eni Aluko, Glenn Hoddle, Rio Ferdinand and Joe Cole are pictured with Kenny Ximenes, Sean Moore, Zenho Granadeiro (centre), Ryan Kerr and Sam Glenfield
(Image: Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye)
“I won’t have to say much because the kids know how to play, and once they cross that white line they will be competitive.”
Hoddle added: “I saw a lovely banner shared between Spurs and Arsenal fans, and it was about North London coming together to combat online hate. That is so positive, and there are other examples out there.
“Unfortunately the spotlight tends to focus on the negativity. But hope will always overcome hate, and hopefully everyone has a good day today and we can raise more awareness.
“Slowly but surely there will be a time in the future, when we’re not here, when online hate doesn’t happen. We have to keep chipping away.”
Rio Ferdinand is pictured with Kenny Ximenes, Sean Moore, Zenho Granadeiro, Ryan Kerr and Sam Glenfield
(Image: Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye)
Standing in the opposite dugout to Hoddle was former Chelsea, West Ham United and England star Joe Cole who said he was “loving” being in Belfast.
“It is great. I had a look round yesterday and I would love to do more sight-seeing, but we have been so busy since we arrived,” Cole said.
“I would love to get down to the Giant’s Causeway, but I am not sure I will be able to.
“I am looking forward to being in the dugout today. We have some good players here, but the main thing is the kids get the experience of playing here in front of the television cameras.
“It is great seeing boys and girls from all different backgrounds come together. It should be great fun – as long as I win.
“I am up against Glenn (Hoddle) today. He has a bit more management experience than I have.
“But it is a great day with an important message.The way the world is with the technology we have at our disposal, it is important we are equipped with the right tools to manage social media.
“It can bring the best out of people, but as we have seen it can sadly bring the worst out in people. We should be using social media positively.
“As a parent I want to help my kids manage social media and online hate, so raising awareness for kids and their parents is important and it is great to be involved.”
This year’s UEFA Super Cup between Chelsea and Villarreal at Windsor Park will also use the opening ceremony to raise awareness about online hate in sport and among young people with the help of Hope United.
During the pre-match ceremony, children selected by the Irish FA Foundation and Rio Ferdinand Foundation will carry a Unite Against Hate banner and read a message of hope promoting respect and solidarity online.
Niamh Coyle, a 16-year-old who plays for Sion Swifts Ladies’ football club in County Tyrone, played in Tuesday’s game at Seaview.
She said: “I’ve been playing football since I was five years old and I love the game.
Rio Ferdinand is pictured with Kenny Ximenes, Sean Moore, Zenho Granadeiro, Ryan Kerr and Sam Glenfield
(Image: Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye)
“I travel three times a week from Strabane to Belfast for training, a six hour round trip and that’s really challenging for me as I’m also preparing for my 10 GCSEs.
“I have friends who’ve experienced abuse and I’ve helped them through it, making sure they know online abuse is not okay and to just keep playing football. Playing in this match has been really special to me and I hope I can achieve my aim to play for Northern Ireland’s Women’s Team one day.”
Simon Green, MD BT Sport, added: “As lead partner of the home nations football teams, we’re asking the UK to take a stand against hate speech on social media as well as giving everyone the knowledge and tools they need to be part of the solution.
“As a major sports broadcaster, we launched our Hope United team and campaign at the start of the Euros to bolster the fight against online hatred. The campaign has been well received but the continued abuse online shows how far we have to go. No one should ever dread getting online in fear of abuse. Nobody should feel unsafe.”
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