The Belgian football family supports the Ukrainian people
The RBFA and all Belgian football stakeholders are of course also deeply concerned by the war in Ukraine.
We cannot stand idly by in the face of this situation of human distress and that is why we have decided to support the Ukrainian people by implementing various tangible actions, of which you will find an overview below.
Promotion for donations to the 12-12 consortium
12-12 is a Belgian national consortium that raises funds in times of crisis. In the context of the war in Ukraine, the Belgian population can easily make donations that will benefit children, women and men affected by this crisis in the following areas: shelter, drinking water, food, health care, protection against violence, and psychological support for trauma. Plan Intenational Belgium and the Red Cross, two of our loyal social partners, are also part of the 7 NGO’s in this consortium.
Our national manager Roberto Martinez already took part two weeks ago in a TV programme in Flanders for the benefit of 12-12, which raised almost 18 million Euro at that time, but the RBFA will also take advantage of the friendly match of our Belgian Red Devils against Burkina Faso at Lotto Park in Anderlecht on Tuesday 29 March to give visibility to this donation campaign via LED-boarding and the stadium's scoreboard, and through its communication channels.
Match worn shirt auction for the 12-12 consortium
At the request of the Red Devils, the shirts will be auctioned and donated to the 12-12 Consortium.
Would you like to get your hands on the jersey of Charles De Ketelaere, Youri Tielemans, Simon Mignolet,...? Grab your chance now and automatically support a good cause!
Sending material goods for the Ukrainian people
The Belgian Football Association is working with staffs of its national teams to send warm clothes, blankets and other essential goods to the Ukrainian people.
Contact with the Ukrainian Embassy in Belgium
The RBFA is also in contact with the Ukrainian Embassy in Belgium to explain how the football community is working on integration in general and to inform them of the regulatory amendments made by FIFA specifically for football players affected by the Ukrainian situation.
These amendments can be found here on the FIFA website while an FAQ on transfer regulations can be found on this page of the RBFA website.
We are also considering other support measures, such as offering free tickets to some Red Devils and Red Flames matches, as well as distributing specific football dictionaries that will help integration and communication within the clubs.
The 1895 Official Belgian Fan Club support tifo
The members of the official fan club of our national teams also wish to show their solidarity with the Ukrainian population and they will display a 20 x 13 meter tifo for this purpose during the match against Burkina Faso.
This initiative was of course welcomed and fully supported by the RBFA and the Belgian Red Devils.
Football is indeed a team sport that requires values of solidarity and fair play, and we can only support actions that show our opposition to violence and our solidarity with all those who are forced to flee their country, whatever their origin.
Our supporters more important than ever
Donations are needed more than ever and can be made via bank account BE19 0000 0000 1212 or via the website www.1212.be.
We can always count on the efforts of our supporters when it comes to supporting our national teams and we are certain that their generosity for the Ukrainian people will continue.
Thank you in advance!
#ComeTogether