The Barça ex-players led a coaching clinic for 220 children at the refugee camps in Ioannina

A coaching clinic for 220 children from the Ioannina region (Greece) and a visit to one of the 8 refugee camps in the area were the basis for the first #FCBPlayers #WithRefugees action organised by the Barça Players’ Association on Friday, 18th November, in collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and with the support of PAS Giannina CF. The aim of the day featuring FC Barcelona ex-players is to show solidarity with the refugees and asylum seekers in Greece, raise funds for their aid and protection (donate HERE), and to recognise the effort made by the Greek people in providing shelter for them. The day was held within the framework of actions driven by the FC Barcelona Foundation and the Club in order to help refugees arriving in Europe.

The Association group, made up of Club ex-players and led by the President, Ramon Alfonseda, visited the refugee camp in Katsikas, in Ionnina, as a symbol of the nearly 50,000 people living as refugees at the moment in Greece. After that, a coaching clinic was held for 220 children from 8 camps in the region. The ex-players themselves designed the clinic and coached at the clinic’s different training stations. 

The day will finish in the evening at 7pm with a charity game between PAS Giannina CF ex-players and the BPA team, at the Zosimades Stadium of Ioannina. The Barça ex-players team will include Meho Kodro, Fréderic Déhu, Mario Rosas, Javier Guzmán, Haruna Babangida, Sergio García, Javi Delgado, Xevi Molist, Sergi Pérez, Joan Blanquera, Landi, Andreu Ferrés and Jonathan Ortuño. In the end Gica Popescu, Jari Litmanen and Juan Carlos Rodríguez were unable to accompany the group due to last minute personal reasons. 

The Barça Players’ Association would like to thank Vueling, Arenalia, Josma Sport Gol and Roger’s for their collaboration in this trip for charity.