Lord John Mann, the United Kingdom’s independent adviser on antisemitism, outlined the potential of sport—and soccer in particular—to foster cultural understanding and combat hate during an event held Monday in Dallas. Speaking at Congregation Shearith Israel, Mann highlighted initiatives that use sports platforms to celebrate diverse religious traditions and promote inclusion.

The discussion, moderated by Brad Sham, a Jewish sportscaster for the Dallas Cowboys, and organized by the Dallas chapter of the American Jewish Committee, focused on how sports organizations can embrace multiculturalism. Mann cited examples from his work with soccer clubs, including Arsenal Football Club, which now has an official Jewish supporters group and hosts religious holiday events for Jewish and Muslim fans. He emphasized that these efforts not only serve social and cultural goals but also have the practical benefit of attracting and maintaining diverse fan bases.

Mann expressed confidence that such programs are adaptable beyond the U.K., suggesting they could be replicated internationally to encourage intercultural dialogue and engagement. He also noted the importance of focusing on young sports fans to help develop future talent while instilling values of acceptance and respect.

Following the event, Dallas City Council member Bill Roth reflected on the recent FIFA World Cup, which saw nine matches played in North Texas. Roth remarked that the tournament has illustrated how sports can bring people together and foster connections across different communities. “Sports can be a tremendous unifying factor in getting people to collaborate,” he said, underscoring the broader social impact that sporting events can have in promoting cooperation and understanding.