In the UK, refugees have made an important contribution to football over many years. Now, the world of UK football is giving something back and welcoming refugees.

Thirty clubs, including eight in the Premier League, supported Amnesty International UK’s first ever “Football Welcomes” initiative this year/in 2017 , reaching out to refugees in their local communities with free ticket offers, invitations to participate in local tournaments, opportunities to meet the players and a whole range of other activities.

Watford Football Club’s Valon Behrami knows only too well what it means to be welcomed into another country. He was granted refuge in Switzerland after fleeing violence and persecution in Kosovo.