Palace’s Benteke offers support for ‘Football Welcomes’ refugee initiative

Christian Benteke has thrown his support behind Amnesty International’s “Football Welcomes” initiative this weekend, celebrating the contribution refugee footballers have made to the sport.

The Crystal Palace striker is one of a small number of refugees to play football at a professional level, having originally been born in Zaire – now known as the Democratic Republic of Congo.

At aged two he was relocated to Liege, Belgium, by his parents due to political unrest in the country, going on to play international football for the European nation.

This weekend sees Amnesty International joining forces with teams in the Premier and English Football Leagues to pay tribute to their achievements, 80 years since the very first refugees played professional football in the UK.

Benteke said: “From my own personal point of view I would have to say that I hope refugees are treated like anyone else and like normal human beings, whatever their story. For me, I know how hard it is.

“I feel proud and it shows nothing is impossible. When you have a dream in your head you have to do everything to make it possible and even though it is going to be harder you can still do it.”