Refugee crisis: FC Porto want all 32 UEFA Champions League clubs to donate €1 from every match ticket to charity

The Portuguese club are the latest to show their generosity

Saturday 05 September 2015 12:18 BST

FC Porto fans unfurl a banner in a Champions League tie (Getty Images)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

FC Porto want clubs competing alongside them in the group stage of the Champions League to donate money from ticket sales to refugee charities.

The idea proposes that €1 from every ticket sold for the first two matchdays of the competition should go towards those fleeing from war-torn countries in the Mediterranean.

In a letter addressed to Uefa chief Michel Platini, the club's president Jorge Nuno Pinto da Costa said "it is impossible to close our eyes to the drama of the migrants and refugees".

Porto themselves have already committed to implementing the idea for their home match against Chelsea on September 29.

The Portuguese club, who last won the continent's premier club competition under Jose Mourinho in 2004, will go ahead with their donation even if the scheme is not taken up by Uefa.

The news follows similar gestures from other European clubs.

Earlier this week, Bayern Munich announced they would be hosting a refugee 'training camp', offering food, German language lessons and football equipment.

Celtic have also said they will donate the proceeds from today's friendly against Dunfermline to refugee charities.

The Independent has launched a new football app! Live scores, in-game stats, breaking news, videos and push notifications are just some of the many features. Use the links below to download and get more from Indy Football...

iPhone
http://ind.pn/iphonefootball

iPad
http://ind.pn/ipadfootball

Android
http://ind.pn/androidfootball