Premiership eyes Asian players

Sol Campbell has backed the festival in Liverpool

Top Asian footballers could be set to make their name in the UK following the first tournament in Europe aimed at showcasing their talents.

Premiership players like Sol Campbell, and clubs such as Liverpool and Manchester United, have backed the AsiaEurope Football Festival.

The Football Association and the Professional Footballers' Association are also supporting the event - aimed at men and women - which was being launched in Liverpool on Friday.

It is hoped the event will lead to the creation of the UK's first Asian football academy in the city next year.

Festival organisers said that more than 100 teams have registered for the event, which takes place in September.

Director Majid Lavji said it aims to help players, referees and coaches to break in to UK football, and said talent scouts from all Premier League clubs are interested, as well as the likes of Real Madrid.

Ask clubs such as Bury, where the best teenage footballers are - they'll say it's the Asian kids on the street. Sir Alex Ferguson

Mr Lavji, 27, from Bromborough, Wirral said: "We are still waiting for Asian footballers to make the impact that black footballers have made since the early 70s."

Arsenal and England star Sol Campbell said football must be open to everyone regardless of their ethnicity.

"I look forward to the time we have an Asian player playing in the Premier League and competing with the best," he said.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said it is "a scandal" that there is only one Asian player currently in English football.

'Feel excluded'

He said: "[This is] because they feel excluded. Ask clubs such as Walsall or Bury, where the best teenage footballers are in their areas.

"They'll say it's the Asian kids who play on the street. Get them in, make them feel welcome."

The event, at Heron Eccles Playing Fields in Allerton, Liverpool, takes place on 27 and 28 September.

The deadline for entries, which can be made on AsiaEurope's website, is 16 September.