Barcelona’s Champions League victory may have underlined the team’s magnificent footballing ability, but the club is also much admired for its work off the field.
The club’s shirt sponsorship has been donated to the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) since 2006, marking the first time in the club’s history that a sponsor has appeared on their shirts.
Barcelona also donate at least 1.5 million Euros (£1.3million) to Unicef, in addition to setting up international cooperation programmes for development and supporting the UN Millennium Development Goals project.
Barcelona’s Nou Camp stadium has also played host to a UEFA Unite Against Racism conference, where club president Joan Laporta was present alongside luminaries from the areas of sport and equality.
Laporta recently spoke about his work at the club in an interview with The Hindu newspaper.
To fulfil its social responsibilities as an all-embracing entity without distinctions of colour, class or faith, the club has embarked on the Xarxa Internacional de Centres (XICS) programme. Translating to International Network of Solidarity Centres, it has units in nine countries on four continents, catering to 1400 children.
Laporta recently visited the Anantapur district of India to formally inaugurate the FC Barcelona Academy. The academy has been running for just over a year, and is the first of its kind in Asia. Whilst in India, Laporta also laid the foundation stone for a second branch of the academy in the Nellore district of the country.
Both ventures are partnered by the Rural Development Trust (RDT), an Anantapur-based NGO.
Laporta shared his thoughts on what made Barca among the best in the business.
On the biggest challenge he’s faced in two terms as President: The pressure is permanent, with every day being a challenge. As pioneers in carrying out social corporate responsibilities, we have also to maintain sustainable profits. To defend Barca is a 24/ 7 job, 365 days of the year.
On curbing violence at the club’s Camp Nou stadium, the biggest stadium in Europe: It’s not enough to make statements, but one needs to act against violence. For us it’s zero tolerance against violence. We identify trouble makers and restrict their entry into the stadium. Electronic surveillance and cooperation with the police take care of the rest.
On a burgeoning fan-base amidst Spain’s increased sporting success: We focus on the youth, who constitute more than 50 per cent of the first team. We are open about our fight against racism, violence and corruption, earning us respect. Our efforts to help the marginalised have seen our club membership grow to 165,000 along with a 100 million fans worldwide.
On huge crowd attendance for Barca’s matches: Our quality of football, fast and attacking, brings in the crowds. Typical of our fiercely independent Catalonian psyche (that saw the province oppose the Fascist General Franco), we don’t speculate but ensure ball control. With our open approach to social integration, even foreigners find acceptance with us.
On spectator facilities: We invest every year to improve facilities to make the spectators comfortable and crack down on violence for their safety.
On celebrities in the side and the difficulties in their management: Our coach and manager inspire team spirit, that’s paramount to us. We have greats such as Thierry Henry, Lionel Messi, Samuel Eto’o, Dani Alves and Hristo Stoichkov, 16 internationals in all but each team member is important to us. Our game sets us apart, the ball recovery in rival territory being instant.
