A trophy was added to the trophy cabinet of the Chelsea Football Club yesterday (Tuesday), which was proudly placed last night between the trophies for the team's achievements on the pitch.
During Chelsea's Champions League match against Juventus at Stamford Bridge, a ceremony was held in which the European Jewish Association (EJA) presented Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck with the association's prestigious "King David" badge for 2021. Chelsea won In recognition of the club's constant fight against anti-Semitism and especially for the "Say No to Anti-Semitism" campaign run by the club since 2018 led by owner Roman Abramovich, to raise awareness among players, staff, fans and the community of existing anti-Semitism and the need to condemn it.
The long-term initiative is part of the club's ongoing work, through the Chelsea Foundation's Building Bridges campaign.
The chairman of the Association of Jewish Organizations in Europe (EJA), Rabbi Menachem Margolin, notes: “Sport brings out the best in people, but unfortunately it can also bring out the worst. Some of the worst examples of anti-Semitism are often expressed in the stands of various stadiums around the world. Chelsea were, of course, no exception to these cases. But unlike the others, they decided to do something about it. "
Rabbi Margolin stressed that "it's really inspiring to see not only the significant investment made in this effort, but also Chelsea's real commitment to listen, act and make a difference. Millions of people are exposed to them.The Chelsea Football Club has led the way.They are an example and role model not only for other football clubs but for everyone.
Giving this award, on behalf of the many Jewish organizations and communities we represent across Europe, is the least we can do to recognize this movement for change.
This power gives hope to Jews from all over the world that the lessons we have learned from the Holocaust will never be forgotten, and anti-Semitism will mourn wherever it is expressed.
On behalf of all our friends and communities, we cherish and thank all the partners in the Chelsea Football Club - the owner Mr Abramovich, the chairman, the directors, the staff and the players for making the fight against anti-Semitism obvious in an unequivocal and fearless way. "
New member of Chelsea's trophy cabinet (center of photo), Photo: Dina Erlich,
Bruce Buck, chairman of the Chelsea Football Club, who received the award from the club, said: "We are proud to be the winners of the King David Award of the Association of Jewish Organizations in Europe (EJA). Since our club owner, Roman Abramovich, initiated the Say No To Antisemitism campaign in January 2018, we are committed to working with Jewish organizations at the national and international levels to help eliminate anti-Semitism from society. "We will continue to harness our range of global platforms in Chelsea to say no to anti-Semitism and to fight all other forms of discrimination."
Mr. Abdullah Shatila, the Lebanese businessman who made headlines around the world when he responded to Rabbi Margolin's call against the trade in Nazi heritage items and purchased Nazi souvenirs sold at auction worth 600,000 euros and donated them to Yad Vashem - and has since supported many initiatives to fight , Noted in the moving ceremony on the lawn that: "Although anti-Semitism is directed at Jews but infects society as a whole. Ignorance, hatred and xenophobia have no place in a world where boundaries are becoming increasingly meaningless, where values are universal and where different identities must be cherished.
I am proud to be here tonight at Chelsea, to be an ongoing link in the chain committed to the fight against anti-Semitism.
Chelsea Football Club has a huge fan base.
"Of course, they could have chosen the easy route, but they decided in an inspiring way to tackle the issue head-on."