Use Euro 2028 to celebrate black footballers, say British pioneers

Viv Anderson makes his England debut against Czechoslovakia at Wembley in 1978, becoming the first black player to play for England. Photograph: Colorsport/Shutterstock

A generation of black British football pioneers have called on organisers to use the next men’s European Championship, to be held in the home nations in 2028, to celebrate the contribution of black footballers to the game.

In a letter published in the Guardian on Thursday, Viv Anderson, Brendon Batson, Clyde Best and a host of former professionals who were the first black players at their clubs, have called for a moment of commemoration that will use “the game’s unique power” to bring people together.