02 Jun Exchange Your Jersey for EURO 2012
The European Healthy Stadia Network is backing a new campaign by UEFA to raise awareness of its RESPECT message as part of Euro 2012. The ‘Exchange Your Jersey’ programme aims to create a chain of fans across Europe to illustrate how football can bring people together.
It is widely believed that players first began to swap shirts after matches in 1931, after France recorded their first win over England. Delighted by the success, the French players asked the English for their jerseys as a souvenir of the occasion. This practice is now common practice throughout the football world and symbolises a mark of respect and acknowledgement for opponents.
The Exchange Your Jersey site, exchangeyourjersey.com, which was launched in May, is available in nine different languages. Users are able to join and create jersey exchange chains online, and invite their friends and colleagues to participate in the hope of winning prizes, including tickets to Euro 2012 matches and signed shirts and footballs. UEFA is hoping that 100,000 people will sign up to the initiative.
