Real Madrid plans 12 social campaigns

Madrid:

Spain's labour minister and the president of the Real Madrid football club on Monday signed a document committing both bodies to work to integrate immigrants in society, as the first on a list of 12 social initiatives in 2008, local media said.

"We are aware of the club's influence in sending messages to society and so we cannot remain on the sidelines when it comes to social problems," Real's president Ramon Calderon said.

"We have a good understanding of the first initiative as this club has players of many different racial and religious backgrounds," he added.

The club will have the topic as its battle cry starting in January 2008, Calderon said, and was commited to holding events to fight racism, xenophobia, violence and exclusion.

The minister, Jesus Caldera, will advise Real on each of the month-long initiatives, which will use the slogan "All Different, All Essential".

"Sport is a way to broadcast the best values and with this agreement we will fight the barriers to solving social problems," he said.

Real will distribute leaflets to all those who come to the stadium, encourage players to take part in events to promote the message and put up posters backing the main message at its facilities.

The agreement was signed at the boardroom of Real's Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. Calderon also gave Caldera commemorative shirts with the names of famous footballers Iker Casillas and Raul Gonzalez.