Clone of Rafael Louzán Visits Atlanta’s King Center: “Racism and Discrimination Have No Place in Our Society”

Accompanied by Spain’s Ambassador to the United States, Ángeles Moreno Bau, and Ángel Cabrera, the Spanish-born President of the Georgia Institute of Technology, RFEF President Rafael Louzán delivered a message in support of peace, tolerance, and mutual understanding during his visit to Atlanta’s King Center.

Welcomed by Barbara Harrison, Director of the institution founded by Coretta Scott King, wife of Martin Luther King Jr., Louzán toured the centre dedicated to preserving the legacy of Reverend King, the leader of the American civil rights movement whose advocacy was rooted in the principles of non-violence, equality, and the rejection of discrimination and segregation. King was also a committed advocate for peace and global prosperity.

In her welcoming remarks to the President of the RFEF and Spain’s Ambassador, Harrison described the arrival of the FIFA World Cup in the Americas as “a valuable opportunity” to use the tournament as “a vehicle for peace and coexistence among peoples—principles that Reverend King believed in and defended throughout his life.”

Louzán expressed his gratitude for the warm reception extended by the King Center’s leadership, describing it as “an iconic place, located in the very city where we began our journey in the World Cup. Atlanta and Chattanooga have welcomed us exceptionally well in a tournament that will remain unforgettable, because football is so much more than the game itself—it brings many other values and experiences together around it.”

In this context, the RFEF President stressed that “sport must be a space for unity, not division. It is especially important to remember that in one of the most significant places for humanity and our collective memory. In football, neither origin nor race matters; what matters are teamwork and mutual respect. Racism and discrimination have no place in our society.”

“The RFEF,” Louzán continued, “is actively committed to combating racism and violence in all its forms, whether physical or verbal. Together, we can ensure that football in general—and this World Cup in particular—remains a genuine celebration of sport, one in which our national team participates as a reflection of the diverse, open, and supportive Spain that Dr. King’s vision helped inspire.”

Spain’s Ambassador to the United States, Ángeles Moreno Bau, echoed these sentiments, welcoming “the arrival of the World Cup in the Americas in this edition, which precedes the tournament to be hosted by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. It is a positive reminder that diversity is a source of strength and the foundation upon which dignity, justice, and equality are built.”

Following the speeches, the President of the RFEF and Spain’s Ambassador proceeded to the memorial where Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. and his wife are laid to rest. There, they placed a floral tribute beside the Eternal Flame, a symbol of the enduring relevance of the principles that guided the life and work of the civil rights leader. Those principles continue to be preserved and promoted by the King Center under its guiding motto: “The Dream Lives On, the Legacy Continues.”