Adama Traoré to tackle racism in football: ‘It’s important I use my platform’

• Pledges 1% of salary to Common Goal’s anti-racism project

• ‘All too often the headlines are stolen by racist actions’

The Wolves winger Adama Traoré has said that “all too often in football the headlines are stolen by racist actions” as he joined Common Goal’s anti-racism project ARP.

The Spain international joins a long list of footballers and managers who have pledged 1% of their salary via Common Goal, the social impact movement in global football. There are more than 200 professional players and managers from 45 nationalities on the team, including Pernille Harder, Paulo Dybala, Vivianne Miedema, Jürgen Klopp, Serge Gnabry, Christiane Endler and Giorgio Chiellini.

Related: Traoré clinches win over Southampton as Wolves maintain push for Europe

Traoré said: “If I’ve learned anything in my career so far, it’s that leading with action rather than empty words is what counts in making a difference. I’ve become part of Common Goal in order to tackle racism through the anti-racist project. It’s important to me to use my platform to be part of the solution.

“I know that my 1% alone isn’t going to fix this problem, and my voice alone won’t solve systemic racism. But, if I can encourage others to join us in this fight, nothing can stand in the way of the impact we can make together. All too often in football the headlines are stolen by racist actions.”

ARP is an action-based programme aimed at ending racism in football though comprehensive anti-racism training for decision makers such as club owners and presidents, professional and grassroots coaches, players of all levels, and fans. ARP launched last year in the US with a coalition of industry leaders including clubs such as Chicago Fire, Angel City and Oakland Roots, plus professional players including the Manchester City and United States goalkeeper Zack Steffen, and also the largest fan group in the country, the American Outlaws.

After the success of ARP in North America, Traoré aims to help Common Goal to grow the project in Europe. Common Goal was launched in 2017 when a single player, Juan Mata of Manchester United and Spain, committed to pledge 1% of his salary to a collective fund that invests in high-impact community organisations using football to empower young people.

Mata said: “It’s fantastic to see another person from the Premier League join myself, Kasper Schmeichel and Jürgen Klopp in this growing team of now over 200 professionals from around the world. In England there are so many inspiring female players that are already Common Goal members, and I hope that Adama joining the movement in order to take tangible action on tackling racism will inspire other male colleagues from the Premier League to join the movement. One per cent is almost nothing, but together we can create meaningful change and the time to act is now.”