No More Red is a campaign between Arsenal and adidas to help keep young people safe from knife crime and youth violence.
As part of the initiative, during Sunday’s Third Round FA Cup match between Nottingham Forest and Arsenal, Arsenal players wore a one-off all-white kit to promote anti-knife crime.
Between June 2020 -June 2021 there were more than 10,000 knife crime offences in London. Last year also saw the highest number of teenage murders in a year in London since records began – most of which involved knife attacks.
No More Red aims to expand on Arsenal in the Community’s work with young people in London, creating safe and positive spaces, particularly to play football, establishing a mentorship scheme for individuals who are making a positive difference in their community, as well as providing programmes that provide training and opportunities for young people..
The initiative is backed by club legend Ian Wright and famous actor Idris Elba.
Idris Elba, founder of Don’t Stab Your Future and mentor as part of No More Red said: “From the time young people leave school, until the time they’re at home with family, there is often a void, a dangerous spike of nothing to do, where nothing can easily turn to something dangerous.
“If there continues to be no options for this after-school period, we will always see gangs form. Let’s create options for these young people.”
Ian Wright MBE said: “Every young person deserves the opportunity to express themselves. The opportunity to exist within a safe environment. The opportunity to live free from fear of violence. We can never accept loss of life through youth violence as ‘normal’ in our city and it’s so important that we all work together to create a better environment for young people.
“By giving young people more places to play sport, more support, and access to individuals who can inspire them, together we can help make a difference to young people in London.”
Following the FA Cup tie at the City Ground on Sunday, the ten shirts worn by outfield players have been gifted to organisations doing work in the community to address some of the root causes of knife crime and youth violence.
For more information about No More Red, click here.
