Everton showed its support for Football for Peace ahead of Saturday's pre-season friendly against Arsenal as Blues players walked out with mascots wearing t-shirts promoting the organisation's message.
Football for Peace, the dedicated charity partner for the match at Baltimore's M&T Bank Stadium, is collaborating with Maryland Sports Commission to create future young leaders in Charm City and is launching its first USA program in the heart of Maryland to advocate and build frameworks through sport around the issues of equality, water sustainability, well-being, education, and the environment.
Arsenal's players and the officials were also accompanied by mascots from Maryland Youth Sports Association, with a joint pre-match photo taking place in front of a banner displaying the message "Football for Peace".
NFL player Josh Norman was also part of the on-pitch delegation in his role as founding board member for Football for Peace’s US programme, which is looking to harness the popularity of soccer and American football to advance a new era of peace and prosperity for communities across the States and beyond.
Everton manager Frank Lampard said: "We were proud to show our support for Football for Peace at today's game. The organisation is doing fantastic work in tackling crucial issues across the globe - focusing on the younger generation - and now they are bringing that work right here to the city of Baltimore.
"The local children who walked out with the two teams today will remember this day for the rest of their lives - and they played a role in delivering a truly important message."
Football for Peace is a global charity based in the UK, India, and Chile, supported by the United Nations. Their vision is to use football in all its forms to enable an inclusive, sustainable, and resilient future for young people and the planet.
Kashif Siddiqi, Football Diplomat and co-founder of Football for Peace, said: “We are incredibly excited to begin our Football for Peace USA journey, announcing our partnership with the City of Baltimore, and would like to thank both clubs, Elite Promotions, Maryland Sports Commission, and the Ravens for this platform.
"Together we will mobilise the football community to support our efforts in unlocking the power of football in this amazing city."
Ahead of the contest at the home of the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens, Everton's captain for the night Jordon Pickford and Arsenal skipper Martin Odegaard also carried purple and white wreaths as both clubs expressed their condolences to the Ravens family for the recent passing of linebacker Jaylon Ferguson and franchise legend Tony Siragusa.
Ferguson and Siragusa died last month aged 26 and 55 respectively and the two clubs joined with the Ravens to remember them and celebrate their lives.
