Gareth Southgate’s Letter “Dear England” and Salsa to Victory!

It is great to see fans back at the Euros and a lot of exciting football to keep us entertained. With Wales and Scotland now out of the tournament, England is the last home nation remaining, facing Germany this Tuesday. 

A few weeks ago, just before the tournament started, Gareth Southgate published a letter “Dear England” in The Players’ Tribune. If you haven’t read it, it’s a must! He talks about the passion of the game but also about how and why football has a responsibility to the wider community, to use its collective voice on matters such as equality, inclusivity and racial injustice. 

“Our players are role models. And, beyond the confines of the pitch, we must recognise the impact they can have on society. We must give them the confidence to stand up for their teammates and the things that matter to them as people. 

I have never believed that we should just stick to football.  

I know my voice carries weight, not because of who I am but because of the position that I hold. [...] I have a responsibility to the wider community to use my voice, and so do the players.  

It’s their duty to continue to interact with the public on matters such as equality, inclusivity and racial injustice, while using the power of their voices to help put debates on the table, raise awareness and educate. 

Social media has been a key resource in giving our players a platform and has been a positive tool in so many ways. In fact, I feel like this generation of England players is closer to the supporters than they have been for decades. Despite the polarisation we see in society, these lads are on the same wavelength as you on many issues.” 

Southgate’s words can be linked to a few key Pillars of Positive Peace. First, Free Flow of Information: the players’ responsibility of spreading truth and combatting misinformation and polarisation through media, for their proximity with their fans through social media. Second (and linked to the first) is the effort to advance the Acceptance of the Rights of Others and foster Good Relations with Neighbours, by serving as role models who pave the way for peaceful communities. 

As Southgate mentions, it’s about what happens beyond the pitch, impacts that last beyond the 90 minutes because football brings people and cultures together. Just like ten years ago, when the England team arrived in Colombia to play in the Under-20s World Cup and danced their way through Colombian security. Can the English team do the same to the German defence on Tuesday?