The refugee crisis currently plaguing Europe has sparked positive responses from two of the world’s most popular football club sides.

In a show of compassion, Spanish top club Real Madrid and German kings Bayern Munich have pledged millions of euros to help their home governments cater for refugees that would be hosted in their countries.

Real Madrid will donate one million euros (US$1.1m) to help support projects for refugees in Spain, the club announced on today.

“Real Madrid states that it will donate one million euros to help refugees that will be hosted by

Spain,” they said in a statement.

“Loyal to its compromise to charity, the club has taken this decision with the objective to help the men, women and children that have been obliged to abandon their homes to flee war and death.”

The club will also provide sports kits for young refugees and make some of their facilities

available to the commission charged with overseeing the hosting of those welcomed into

Spain.

On its part, Bayern Munich said on Thursday they would also give one million euros and work with Munich authorities to set up training camps for children to receive German lessons, meals and football kits.

News Express investigation reveals that there are quite a number of talented Nigerian football players who have made the perilous journey across the seas to get to Europe and are currently in refugee camps in various European countries. They will no doubt be hungry to be given the opportunity to fight for a place in European clubs.

Recently, a Nigerian footballer who is currently in a refugee camp in Italy told this reporter that he was given the chance to undergo a screening exercise with a lower division club in Italy. After he passed the screening by satisfying the coaches, they couldn’t sign him simply because of his refugee status.

“The coach of the team said that the Italy football federation says I can’t be signed because I don’t have my papers. The club were going to pay me 2,500 euros per month for a start. I’m so messed up,” the young lad said.

•Photo courtesy of dw.com shows a group of refugees in Germany.

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