The SPFL, SWPL and SPFL Trust have today launched year two of UNITED – a content series celebrating the rich mix of nationalities, cultures and backgrounds that make Scottish football so vibrant.
The focus of this week’s UNITED episodes is UNITED We Stand, a campaign timed to support Black History Month and complement Show Racism the Red Card’s upcoming weekend of action. The series shines a light on the people and communities that make the game more inclusive, united and representative of modern Scotland.
This year’s series features powerful new stories from across the country, including a focus on the individual personalities that make up one of the most diverse dressing rooms in Scotland at Dundee United, with Guinea-Bissau born Panutche Camará and Croatian teammates Ivan Dolček and Vicko Ševelj discussing how they’ve bonded with their fellow players and found home in the Scottish game.
It also spotlights the work of Big Hearts Community Trust, the official charity of Heart of Midlothian FC, whose Welcome Through Football programme supports refugees and asylum seekers settling in Edinburgh.
The film follows Hearts midfielder Beni Baningime as he visits participants to share his own experiences moving to the UK as a child after growing up in the Democratic Republic of Congo and to see the club’s community work – which is supported by the SPFL Trust - in action.
The celebration of Scottish football’s diversity is continued through a feature focusing on Glasgow City FC’s South African international Linda Motlhalo and Polish international Natalia Wróbel, who are teammates and flatmates and the video highlights the diversity of players at the SWPL Club.
The first episode, launched later today, focuses on Baningime discussing how meeting people from so many different backgrounds at the Welcome Through Football programme reminds him of his own personal journey to the UK as a child.
He says: "It’s brilliant to see the heart, the desire and the love for what they [the participants] do.
"It’s definitely personal for me because of my journey. I’m a second-generation immigrant.
"My dad first came here as an asylum seeker. I’m a testament of coming into a country where it’s welcoming to give you opportunities."
In a later episode, Dundee United stars reflect on life in a diverse squad and the strong bond they’ve built off the pitch.
Croatian midfielder Ševelj said: "We’re here because of football. Skin colour, language, or passport – that doesn’t matter at all. We’re all friends in the dressing room. The Scottish fans have been great and really welcoming."
Fans’ favourite Panutche, said: "Everyone is the same in my eyes. I [don’t see] colour or nationality. The group is good, and we try to help each other."
And Dolček, who won August’s William Hill Premiership Player of the Month for his strong goalscoring start at the club, said: “You make friends from everywhere and that’s one of the beautiful sides of our sport.”
The videos can be watched on SPFL, SWPL and SPFL Trust social channels across the rest of this week.
Neil Doncaster, SPFL group chief executive, said: "It’s been inspiring to hear how players from different countries and cultures have settled into the SPFL and SWPL, as well as how people arriving to Scotland have been supported by the SPFL Trust and associated trusts across the country.
"There are so many great stories across Scottish football, and it’s been brilliant to bring some of those to life through the UNITED We Stand campaign.
"We’d like to thank all the participants for sharing their very personal journeys on how they came to play or live in Scotland, the challenges they’ve overcome, and the contributions they make on and off the pitch."
Fiona McIntyre, SWPL managing director, said: "The SWPL thrives on the talent, passion and resilience of players from all over the world.
"Seeing teammates like Linda Motlhalo and Natalia Wróbel not only excel on the pitch but also build strong friendships off it, highlights how sport can break down barriers. It’s great to support such an important campaign."
Nicky Reid, SPFL Trust chief executive, said: "Initiatives like Welcome Through Football and the stories shared in UNITED We Stand show the real-life impact of football in helping people from all backgrounds feel included, valued, and connected to their communities.
"BIG Hearts and our associated trusts across the country do incredible work, and it’s great to see that marked in this year’s campaign."
This year’s UNITED series builds on the first year of episodes, which featured Alloa Athletic goalkeeper Tochukwu Ogayi’s remarkable journey from Lagos to Indodrill Stadium - fleeing war-torn Ukraine and sending 300 emails to salvage his dream of playing professional football.
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