Common Goal Launches Fund While Its Players Will Engage With Fans

Common Goal has launched a COVID19 Response Fund which will see its network of community organisations in 90 countries and the football players who work with them engage with the general public to make a positive impact on those affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

The social impact movement already serves over two million vulnerable children and young people, and the Common Goal COVID19 Response Fund aims to tackle some of the immediate effects of the pandemic. The organisation says the fund is open to anyone who wishes to contribute, and that it will ensure support continues beyond the initial response, with a focus on young people in deprived communities and in conflict settings. 

Common Goal CEO Jurgen Griesbeck said: “The Coronavirus has shown clearly that if we do not respond to the multiple threats humanity faces in an honest, open and collective manner, it will be very difficult to tackle any of these challenges. Football can raise its game and play a leading role living up to the game’s essence of teamplay and take the whole of the football-loving world with them. Common Goal is a mechanism that enables the football industry to collectively play a role in shaping the world, without any thoughts on ownership. 

“The best shot football players, managers and other industry leaders have of creating a positive impact on the world through football is by acting as a team.”

In addition to the support fund, Common Goal has also announced its new Live Match platform, in which players commit the 90 minutes they are no longer spending on the pitch to create positive outcomes.

To kick off the initiative Manchester United player Juan Mata, who was the first footballer to join Common Goal in 2017, will take part in the first first Live Match this Thursday, 9th April at 6pm, which was a time allocated for the quarter finals of the UEFA Europa League. 

Mata said: “It’s been heartening to see many positive responses from players and other football leaders to the current crisis, but it can be also hard to know what to do to help effectively those who need it most. We are suffering a stark reminder of how interdependent we all are. 

“To overcome coronavirus, and the other challenges facing humanity, we need to coordinate individual efforts and work together as a team. I’m urging not only my Common Goal teammates, but also all other players and football leaders from around the world to unite and help tackle this crisis, and at the same time use this as a catalyst to play a key role in tackling the other challenges humanity faces. Together we can beat this.”

Mata will use his Instagram platform to connect with fans, while Bayern Munich and Germany forward Serge Gnabry, has also been announced as a player supporting the Common Goal COVID19 Response Fund by asking people to share their experiences of the crisis, and encourage them to donate to the fund.

“On the pitch football is not about the individual,” said Serge Gnabry. “Even the best player cannot achieve the best results if there is no teamwork. Off the field it’s the same. We need to develop a new way of thinking across football, based on international collaboration and team play. There is no ego in Common Goal, it’s all about working together to tackle the world’s biggest problems. Anyone and everyone can play an important role in the team by donating to the Common Goal COVID19 Response Fund.”

Mata’s initial Live Match will take place in English, but the player will host another session in Spanish soon afterwards.