Both Tottenham Hotspur and Son Heung-min have won 2022 Football Reputation Awards.
The World Sport Association, which encourages global co-operation to promote the positive influence professional sport can have on humanity, hands out three awards every year. They are handed out to a club, player and a former player and are judged across 10 categories, including setting a positive example for society, promoting peace, sustainability and healthy living and opposing discrimination, inequality and poverty.
The winners are decided in an independent vote by players, legends, coaches, referees, executives and journalists from around European football.
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Tottenham were recognised in the club category, with a focus on a number of areas of work. These included being named as the Premier League’s greenest by the UN-backed Sport Positive for the past three years running.
The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has also been providing a catalyst for the regeneration of North Tottenham, while contributing around £300m to the local economy every year and driving an increased number of visitors to the area through a range of major events and attractions.
The club has delivered more than 4,000 jobs for local residents across a range of industries as well as developing a leading sixth form college – the London Academy of Excellence Tottenham – which prioritises the brightest students from the most challenging socio-economic backgrounds.
The club has also brought historic-listed buildings back to life, facilitated the delivery of 400 new homes – 70% of which are affordable, and is working to address poverty on its doorstep through an ongoing fundraising campaign for Tottenham and North Enfield Foodbanks.
Spurs chairman Daniel Levy said: "As a club driven by using its unique appeal to create life changing opportunities and special moments for the millions we engage on a daily basis, it is with great pride that we accept this award.
"We should like to thank the World Sport Association and its members in recognising the tremendous amount of work that goes on behind-the-scenes at our club to make a positive impact on the lives of our staff, fans, neighbours and our environment."
Son has been recognised in the player category having been named 'Best Footballer in Asia' for the past six years running and winning the 2021/22 Premier League Golden Boot – inspiring a generation of young footballers in his homeland of South Korea and across Asia.
He was last year named as the United Nation’s World Food Programme Global Goodwill Ambassador, using his influence and popularity to shine a spotlight on the plight of the millions affected by food poverty.
"As a professional footballer I have always been aware of the role I can play in using my platform to support causes that I am passionate about and bring joy to people’s lives through football," said Son. "I am therefore extremely proud to receive this recognition – which means a huge amount to me and my family - and would like to thank the World Sport Association for giving me this award."
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