Founded in 2021 in Lausanne, Switzerland, the football club FC Kurde Lausanne received the award for its stance on the pitch, collective spirit, and sportsmanship during the 2024–2025 season.
The award was presented by Hicham Matni, Chair of the Central Referees Committee of the Association Cantonale Vaudoise de Football (ACVF), to Club President Fuat Altun and Vice President Hayrettin Öztekin. At the ceremony, federation officials described the club’s approach as “an example of sportsmanship and social responsibility.”
Since its establishment in 2021, the club has drawn attention in Lausanne not only for its performance on the field but also for the values it represents. Alongside its senior team, FC Kurde Lausanne also operates a children’s team and aims, in the medium term, to establish a football academy to contribute to the development of young talents.
Following the award, club leaders emphasized that migrant-based clubs still lack adequate support. Their statement read: “This award shows that our attitude on the field has been appreciated. However, many migrant teams still face various forms of discrimination. Institutional support must be fair and inclusive.”
The Fair Play Award granted to FC Kurde Lausanne also holds significance for the collective effort and social visibility of the Kurdish community living in Europe.
