A young refugee boy from Syria plays with a football in front of the small camping tents he lives in with his extended family near the Idomeni transit station. Since the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia sealed its border last month, signalling the closure of the so-called Western Balkan Route, the small transit station boomed to a sprawling tent city of more than 10,000 men, women and children, who camped along the border, the railway tracks and the surrounding fields, hoping they will eventually be allowed to continue their journey northwards. ; Despite the closure of the so called Western Balkan Route more than 10,000 refugees and migrants remain on the Greek side of the border with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, near the small village of Idomeni, hoping that the borders will re-open and they will be able to continue their journey northwards. At the Idomeni transit station which is currently running at five times its capacity food, water, shelter and medicine are running out as Greek authorities are struggling to cope.
Our goal is solidarity
Barcelona, Athens, Ioannina – 4 November, 2016 – FC Barcelona Players will hold a solidarity journey with refugees in Greece.
The journey of FCB veterans which is held in cooperation with UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and PAS Giannina FC, will include a workshop with children and a match with PAS Giannina FC veterans.
Media representatives are invited to the joint event #FCBPlayers #WithRefugees in Ioannina, Western Greece.
A team of former FC Barcelona players, legends and veterans, will come to Ioannina, Greece, on November 18 to hold football workshops for some 150 boys, girls and adults who currently live in refugee sites. In statements to the press, players will share their impressions from their personal encounters with the refugees. The local football club PAS Giannina and UNHCR, will explain why they support this initiative of solidarity and for integration. PAS Giannina Veterans and FC Barcelona Veterans will hold a friendly match on the same evening.
Barça Players Association wants to raise awareness of the international community about the difficult situation of refugees in Greece, and promote a fundraising campaign that would allow to meet humanitarian needs of the refugees. This journey is done as part of the actions promoted by the FC Barcelona Foundation and the Club in aid of refugees arriving in Europe.
Note: The names of the FC Barcelona Veterans and Legends will be communicated at a later stage.
Media statements
Location: Zosimades Stadium, Press Tribune, Tzavella 18 Str, 45333 Ioannina
Time: Friday, 18 November 2016, 11:00
Football workshops with refugees
Accredited media are invited to cover the workshops.
Location: Panepirotiko Stadium, Ioanninon 152 Str, Anatoli, 452 21 Ioannina
Time: Friday, 18 November 2016, 12:15 – 13:00
PAS Giannina Veterans – FC Barcelona Veterans friendly match
Location: Zosimades Stadium, Press Tribune, Tzavella 18 Str, 45333 Ioannina
Time: Friday, 18 November 2016, 19:00 (match) and 21:15 (press conference).
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