Newcastle United recently welcomed over 120 local primary school students to St. James’ Park for a series of educational workshops organized by the “Show Racism the Red Card” (SRtRC) campaign. First-team players Joelinton and Yoane Wissa took part in the event, sharing their personal experiences with the young attendees.
Students from schools partnered with the Newcastle United Foundation spent the day exploring themes of anti-discrimination and equality. The interactive workshops were led by Richard Offiong, a former Newcastle youth player and SRtRC campaign coordinator, who was joined by a surprise lineup of current and former Newcastle stars.
The event concluded with a powerful panel discussion featuring Joelinton and Wissa, alongside Newcastle legends Shola Ameobi and Olivier Bernard, as well as former Newcastle United Women’s defender Charlotte Potts, who was recently inducted into the SRtRC Hall of Fame. Each panelist shared their own encounters with discrimination and engaged in a question-and-answer session with the students.
Reflecting on his first experience with racism, Yoane Wissa told the children: “I faced it when I was 20 during a derby match. Someone hurled racial abuse at me. The best response I could give was to help my team win, and we did. When someone is disrespectful or bullies others, we must point out that it’s wrong and guide them toward respect with kindness.”
Joelinton shared his experience with online racial abuse: “Three years ago after a match, I received a direct message with racist comments. It was a tough period, but I knew those extreme views didn’t represent everyone—they came from a stranger who knew nothing about my life. This kind of discrimination still happens, but it’s not as bad as it used to be. It’s meaningful to talk with young people here, and I hope you can create a better future together.”
This year marks the 30th anniversary of SRtRC, which was founded in the North East of England with support from former Newcastle goalkeeper Shaka Hislop. The organization is now a leading anti-racism educational charity in the UK, reaching around 50,000 children annually with its educational programs.
SRtRC coordinator Richard Offiong said: “We were honored to bring 127 students from across the region to St. James’ Park for a full day of education, inspiration, and honest conversation about racism. From interactive workshops on online hate to an unforgettable Q&A session, every moment showed the immense social value football can bring when it uses its platform for good. Thanks to Newcastle United and the Newcastle Foundation for making this possible, and to the children who attended—their questions, courage, and enthusiasm give us hope for the future.”