Why Lens player's changed their name jerseys

In the match against Angers on Saturday the Racing Club of Lens played an unusual but commendable part. The yellow and red players, in fact, entered the field of play in unusual jerseys, in which the names did not correspond in relation to the playing numbers, so that they wore different ones on their shoulders. The result was some confusion, at least for the commentators, but at the same time it helped to underline the message the French club wanted to convey. Lens' communiqué says: 'The club has decided, with the utmost discretion and with the permission of the professional football league, to raise public awareness of the fundamental issue of discrimination, or more precisely of the prejudices that can accompany the perception of a surname'. After a pre-match draw, names were assigned to jersey numbers in the dressing room with the slogan 'Our Names Say No' on the front."

On the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, which is celebrated on 21 March, Lens wanted to send a strong message, which proved to be very effective. With this initiative, the French club wants to emphasise that it is not the surname or the colour of the skin that determines the importance of a person and a footballer, but that football must be a promoter of equality and fraternity. We will see if this innovative decision by Lens will soon be emulated by other clubs, at a time when both clubs and associations are launching numerous anti-discrimination campaigns.