On Saturday Sutton United became the latest professional football club to sign the Muslim Athlete Pledge to demonstrate our commitment to equality and diversity for all.
The Pledge is a commitment and start to recognising Muslim needs in the sport as well as in the club and a check list addressing Muslim players' needs, and is part of our wider work around equality and diversity, with an important aspect being for us to listen, learn and adopt good practice. It is the beginning of a journey to be fully accredited with the Nujum Sports Athlete Charter which will demonstrate our commitment to zero tolerance towards any form of discrimination.
The signing of the pledge coincided with the opening and dedication of a multi-faith prayer room at the club which will be open to everyone from all faiths. This took place before the game against Mansfield, with the Mayor of Sutton, Councillor Trish Fivey among those present along with former Sutton defender Anwar Uddin in his capacity as Campaigns Manager for Fans for Diversity and a Nujum Ambassador, and who was awarded an MBE for services to football in this year's Birthday Honours List, current first team player Kwame Thomas and the Rev. Bethany Lewis, Team Vicar of St. Alban's Sutton and vicar of St John's CofE and Methodist Church.
After the dedication, a halal lunch and after-match bites were served at the club.
Sutton United Director Martin Copus said: ''Signing the pledge is a positive step for Sutton United, and integral to our work supporting our players in all respects. By understanding and appreciating their faith and cultural needs, we are further reinforcing the club's strong community ethos - as well as ensuring our players and fans, and those visiting our club, feel valued and appreciated"