NEW YORK (July 10, 2013) – Major League Soccer today announced that 2013 AT&T MLS All-Star Game opponent AS Roma has taken a stand against discrimination by adopting the MLS WORKS “Don’t Cross the Line” campaign.
“Don’t Cross the Line” is an awareness campaign launched by MLS to formalize its long-standing commitment to diversity while demonstrating the league’s stance against discrimination and promoting the importance of positive behavior at all levels of the game.
The campaign promotes unity, respect, fair play, equality and acceptance throughout the sport and gives members of the soccer community a chance to stand united by taking the pledge to end discrimination of any kind.
AS Roma will support the initiative throughout their upcoming season by creating their own “Don’t Cross the Line” public service announcement encouraging the Italian soccer community to “Take the Pledge” to treat others with dignity and respect and not tolerate discrimination, bias, prejudice or harassment.
“Major League Soccer is proud of the overwhelming support “Don’t Cross the Line” has received,” said JoAnn Neale, Chief Administrative Officer of MLS. “We look forward to working with AS Roma on this important cause, as they take a leadership role within Serie A, to spread the message throughout the soccer community that discrimination of any kind is unacceptable.”
"We are proud to take a part in the 'Don't Cross the Line' program alongside Major League Soccer. AS Roma will always be committed to campaigns whose objectives are to reach out to the world of sport on social themes such as the fight against racism and any form of discrimination,” said AS Roma President James Pallotta.
Both teams will wear a commemorative “Don’t Cross the Line” patch on their uniforms during the 2013 AT&T MLS All-Star Game (ESPN2, UniMas, TSN, RDS; 9 p.m. ET) to symbolize the joint commitment to end discrimination.
"The “Don't Cross the Line” program will be a great legacy of our participation in the MLS All-Star Game. We will be launching the program in Italy this season and involving everyone associated with our club - ownership, management, players and fans,” said Italo Zanzi, AS Roma Global CEO.
“Like MLS, we embrace the responsibility to be leaders in this area and will invite the other clubs in Italy to join us in this initiative. Though we compete every week on the field, on this issue we must work closely together to ensure discrimination has no place in football."
Fans attending the All-Star game in Kansas City will have the opportunity to “Take the Pledge” on Windows 8 tablets, and receive “Don’t Cross the Line” merchandise at select locations in the Power & Light district during the All-Star festivities, as well as at Sporting Park on game day.
All fans can “Take the Pledge” online at www.MLSsoccer.com/mlsworks.
