A Christian human rights organisation has launched a campaign urging the Premier League to act over the ongoing war in Sudan.

They have highlighted alleged human rights abuses linked to the owner of Manchester City football club.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) announced the campaign on Wednesday outside Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium, inviting the public to sign a petition calling on the League to raise concerns with club owner Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan over the United Arab Emirates’ role in supporting the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan.

According to CSW, the conflict has killed over 150,000 people, displaced more than 13 million, and left over 30 million in urgent need of humanitarian assistance, including nearly 15 million children. 

The organisation cited a United Nations Panel of Experts report from January 2024 and other sources describing the UAE’s support for the RSF as “credible". 

Sarah Smith, CSW’s Sudan advocacy officer (pseudonym), told Premier Christian News: “The situation in Sudan is the worst humanitarian crisis in the world. Every Sudanese family is affected. Churches have been destroyed, communities uprooted, and Christians and other minoritised groups face severe hardships.”

Smith added that the campaign was also about accountability, saying Sheikh Mansour is "a close ally of the RSF leader".

"We are calling for the UAE to stop supporting the RSF and for the Premier League to ask these questions of him," she said. "Christians in the UK can help by praying and signing our petition to bring attention to Sudan.”

CSW chief executive Scot Bower said the initiative aimed to support a ceasefire and a return to civilian-led governance in Sudan, stressing that collective action could push for justice and humanitarian aid.