22 February 2024 , 05:30
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The Premier League banned clubs from wearing green armbands in support of Green Football Weekend.
Clubs including Wolves wore green armbands when the initiative was launched in 2023, but were told they couldn’t this year. Green Football Weekend ran from February 2 to 5 and received backing from Sky Sports and TNT Sports, as well as dozens of clubs throughout the leagues.
But the Premier League was conspicuous by its absence, leaving campaigners frustrated that such a simple yet powerful symbol was blocked. Broadcasters put messaging around veggie meals front and centre and fans threw their weight behind scoring ‘green goals’, yet the initiative was hindered by the Premier League. Organisers say they had as many as nine top-flight clubs interested in donning green armbands, but they were told any messaging would be limited to the warm-up.
“So many Premier League clubs and fans took part in Green Football Weekend, and it is disappointing that the Premier League didn't back the campaign or support their involvement,” Green Football Weekend director Sarah Jacobs told Mirror Football. “Football has incredible power to drive positive change, but we need everyone pulling together if we are to protect the game and the world we love."
The Premier League did not throw its support behind the initiative in 2023, but it did allow clubs to display their own support. This year the league refused because they want to oversee all charitable initiatives themselves.
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In response to detailed questions from Mirror Football, a Premier League spokesperson said: “The Premier League recognises the need to take action on climate change and is committed to reducing its overall climate impact. In November 2021, the league joined forces with other leading sports organisations by signing up to the UN Sports for Climate Action Framework. Since then the Premier League has made two years of data submissions, as we aim to achieve net-zero emissions by 2040.
“The Premier League is in the process of finalising an environmental sustainability strategy which will set out plans to deliver climate action. As part of this strategy, the league will continue to engage with clubs and current partners to find practical ways of reducing football’s environmental impact. The strategy will build on the Premier League’s environmental sustainability commitment, which introduces a minimum standard of action on environmental issues across the clubs and the league.”
Broadcasters got behind Green Football Weekend (Robbie Jay Barratt/Getty Images)The Premier League's insistence on keeping everything in-house is a major bone of contention among environmental campaigners, who believe the small-minded approach is actively holding back progress. The organisation hired a head of sustainability in January 2023 but has delayed the publishing of its sustainability strategy on a few occasions.
The league has its own sustainability working group, which includes representatives from its clubs and has therefore decided not to back the formation of an outside Football Climate Group - which has received backing from club executives, other leagues, broadcasters and the government.
The idea was to form a group of like-minded organisations, clubs, leagues, broadcasters and campaigners to work together on practical solutions to respond to climate issues. It was due to launch in the run-up to Green Football Weekend but has been kicked into the long grass after the Premier League failed to send a representative to a recent meeting with MP Stuart Andrew.
Newcastle fans used the weekend to protest against the Premier League's fixture scheduling (Matt McNulty/Getty Images)“Several clubs, urged on by their fans, are now leading the way to develop plans to take bolder action on climate change. But they need the leagues to show leadership and support their efforts,” said Football Climate Group founder Tom Gribbin.
“No single club can do this alone. That is why it is such a shame the Premier League blocked the formation of the Football Climate Group. This could have been the vehicle for clubs and leagues to research and take the lead on practical action on difficult challenges on transport, energy and food.
"The Premier League could be the leader to unlock the potential of football but sadly is still on the bench.”
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