Premier League turns down charity request from clubs to raise money for homeless

Premier League chiefs have denied clubs permission to don their away kits at home matches for the Boxing Day fixtures in a gesture designed to raise money for homeless charity Shelter.

The charity had approached the nine Premier League clubs playing at home on December 26 over the idea in a bid to raise awareness for the charity's cause and explain how football club's can help tackle homelessness.

Shelter then put forward their detailed plan to those at the Premier League, revealing how home clubs would wear away shirts as a symbol of solidarity with the homeless.

The players would then proceed to auction off the unworn home shirts to raise money for the charity, but the idea has been thwarted by league officials.

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A spokesperson for the league explained (via the Independent ): "The Premier League receives a large number of requests from charities every season however we aren't able to support all centrally.

"Clubs are entitled to support charitable causes, and we encourage clubs to do so, provided it is in compliance with Premier League rules."

A number of the league's biggest sides are scheduled to play at home on Boxing Day, including Liverpool, Manchester City, Tottenham and West Ham.

Osama Bhutta, director of campaigns at Shelter, shed further light on the idea, revealing: "We believe 'home' means everything. We want to use the positive power of football this Christmas, and our shared connection to 'home', to raise awareness of homelessness and what we can all do to fight it.

"Since the start of the pandemic more than 180,000 households have lost their homes and been made homeless - many of them are families with children hidden away in grim temporary hostels.

"That's why we have been speaking to people across the football community to launch #NoHomeKit. No Home Kit is a simple Boxing Day campaign where clubs and fans swap their home colours for their away or third kit.

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"This will powerfully show their support for all those without a safe home today.

"We want as many teams, players and fans as possible to join #NoHomeKit and work with us to help those experiencing the harsh realities of homelessness this winter.

"Everyone involved in #NoHomeKit can do something special by bringing the entire football community together to fight the housing emergency."

Though the Premier League have rejected the request, Sky Sports understands that the English Football League - responsible for the Championship, League One and League Two, are open to the idea.