Everton and Liverpool jointly oppose racial discrimination and win the 2025 UEFA FootbALL Award

According to Everton's official website, Everton and Liverpool won the 2025 UEFA FootbALL Award for jointly opposing racial discrimination.

Everton and Liverpool Football Club strongly condemned the racial abuses suffered by midfielder Doocurre after the Merseyside derby in February. This behavior has been recognized by UEFA. The two clubs were jointly awarded the UEFA FootbALL Awards in 2025 at the awards ceremony in Zurich, Switzerland on Thursday. The award is awarded annually to clubs, players and associations that play an exemplary role in promoting diversity, inclusion and accessibility.

After the game at Goodison Park in February, Everton and Liverpool jointly issued a statement strongly condemning cyber violence against Dookure and reaffirming the two teams' unified position on opposing any form of discrimination. UEFA's human rights steering panel includes former Everton midfielder Thomas Hitzelsperg, former Arsenal and French star Patrick Vieira and Italian legend Alessandro Costakuta. They decided to recognize the way the two clubs collaborate, while stressing that identifying perpetrators reflects a “commitment to zero tolerance racism.”

Everton head Ben Oss and Liverpool's influence director Rich Jane went to Switzerland to receive the award. "As a football club, we have long been upholding justice, aiming to create a game environment that respects, celebrates and supports everyone. By working with Liverpool Football Club, we jointly oppose the abuse against Dookure, sending a strong signal that racism and hatred of any kind should not be tolerated, whether online, within our stadium or in the community."

The award was presented on the second day of the UEFA Respect Forum 2025, which brings together key professionals, stakeholders and experts to advance the social and environmental sustainability of European football. UEFA Director of Social and Environmental Sustainability Michel Uva said: “The FootbALL Award recognizes organizations that use football as a positive force. We are proud to recognize these outstanding winners, who remind us that the real impact of the game goes far beyond the stadium, it lies in its ability to unite, inspire and bring lasting change to our community. Their commitment sets a strong example of how football drives meaningful change, which has a profound impact not only in the game but also in society as a whole.”