Premier League side Nottingham Forest are hoping to shine a light on a good cause with their jerseys for the remainder of the 2022-23 season.
The club announced on Thursday, December 22, that it would sport the logo of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) on the front its shirts for the rest of the season as part of a new international charity partnership.
Both the men’s and women’s teams will wear the logo in all fixtures starting January 1, 2023, “as a sign of solidarity for families who have been forced to flee their homes and communities.”
“We are delighted that, for the remainder of the season, we will use the front of the famous Nottingham Forest shirt to tell such an important story. It will be an honour to display their name on our shirt in support of this important cause,” said owner Evangelos Marinakis on the club’s website.
“I am proud to have partnered with the United Nations’ global work before, with Olympiacos FC back in 2013. We supported UNICEF for four years, choosing to make a significant financial contribution to their charitable work rather than taking income from a sponsor, and giving their cause prominence on the front, and then the back, of the Olympiacos shirt.
“I hope fans of Nottingham Forest will also be proud that we have chosen to highlight the work of UNHCR for the remainder of the season, in addition to the local causes our Community Trust supports. This comes at a time when the world faces enormous challenges in helping the most vulnerable people in society.”
“From fighting racism and homophobia, to standing with refugees, football clubs around the world are using their power to confront discrimination and support people in need,” added Charlotte Boyle, chair of trustees for UK for UNHCR. “We are hugely grateful to Nottingham Forest’s generosity and compassion in supporting refugees and UNHCR’s relief efforts around the world.
“Through this solidarity, Nottingham Forest is sending a powerful message to families fleeing conflict that they will not be forgotten.”
The UNHCR logo also appears on the back of La Liga side FC Barcelona’s kits for 2022-23, below the numbers.
Back in the Premier League for the first time in 23 years, Nottingham Forest had been playing without a shirt sponsor so far this season. In the EFL Championship last season, they were sponsored by boiler company BOXT.
The kits with the new logo will be worn for the first time when Nottingham Forest takes on Chelsea in the Premier League on January 1. The club’s women’s team will take to the pitch with the new logo on their shirts when FA Women’s National League North play resumes in the new year.