On 12 August, Tibet Society in collaboration with a range of other Tibetan activist groups and supporters, headed to the opening of the premier league at Watford Stadium.

As supporters arrived at the match, Tibet Society, Free Tibet and the Tibetan Community in Britain handed out approximately 3,000 leaflets to raise awareness about the recent partnership between Liverpool FC and Tibet Water Resources Limited; a Chinese company that has become the club’s official regional water partner in China.

Alongside handing out leaflets, the event was also an opportunity to engage with supporters and speak to them about the human rights situation in the country as well as the detrimental impact of this deal on Tibetans.

Many life-long fans expressed their disappointment with the club, and many have asked Liverpool FC to rethink their association with the company. An online petition we launched last week, calling on the premier club to cancel the agreement, has already reached over 500 signatures. With increasing numbers of people urging the club to withdraw their support for this deal, the partnership threatens to become a major embarrassment for Liverpool FC.

Tibet Society responded to the announcement last week by issuing a press release expressing its deep regret and has also written a joint letter to the directors of the club, calling on them to terminate the partnership.

Tibet Society is urging its members and supporters to sign the petition and share it widely.