Every club in the Premier League has now taken part in antisemitism awareness workshops, marking a major milestone in efforts to tackle anti-Jewish racism in football.

Southampton FC became the final club to participate in the initiative, which is part of the "Tackling Antisemitism in Sport" project led by Lord John Mann in partnership with Maccabi GB. With this, all 20 top-flight English clubs have now received training designed to educate staff, players, and stewards on antisemitism and how to address it.

Launched in September 2023, the workshops explore the history and modern forms of antisemitism, with a focus on the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition. Sessions also include real-life scenarios from football contexts, encouraging participants to recognize, report, and respond to antisemitic incidents.

Lord Mann, the government’s Independent Adviser on Antisemitism, praised the achievement, saying, “Having representatives from every Premier League club receive training on contemporary antisemitism is groundbreaking in the world of sport. This not only equips clubs to tackle issues effectively but also fosters a safe and welcoming environment for Jewish fans.”

Ashley Lerner, CEO of Maccabi GB, emphasized the importance of inclusion: “Sport holds a unique power. It’s essential that football understands the Jewish community and ensures that Jewish fans and players can engage without fear of discrimination or abuse.”

Since its inception, the project has delivered over 100 workshops to around 3,000 participants, including staff from football clubs and County FAs, academy players, and stewards. The programme has also reached 59 clubs in the English Football League and 42 out of 50 County Football Associations, as well as the national FA.

In February, Liverpool FC hosted a steward-specific session ahead of their match against Newcastle, training 70 head stewards. Leeds United held the largest single training session to date, with 250 stewards participating in a session in the City of Leeds.

Project Manager Ben Sweiry, who has spearheaded the training, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have reached this milestone. At a time when antisemitism is on the rise, football clubs have shown strong support and a willingness to learn and be inclusive.”

Under Lord Mann’s leadership, the Premier League, EFL, and The FA have adopted the IHRA definition of antisemitism. The movement has also spurred the creation of Jewish supporters’ groups at nine professional clubs and led to the formation of an Antisemitism Working Group within the anti-racism charity Kick It Out.

Clubs such as Wolverhampton Wanderers, Stockport County, Cambridge United, and Huddersfield Town have also received dedicated antisemitism training for their academy players.

This comprehensive approach is setting a new standard in how sport can help combat antisemitism and promote inclusion throughout British society.