Wolfsburg to invite 1,200 refugees to Champions League game

Wolfsburg are to invite around 1,200 refugees to their opening Champions League fixture with CSKA Moscow next Tuesday, the Bundesliga club have announced.

Free tickets have been distributed to refugees living in and around the Lower Saxony city to “offer them a beautiful evening of top European football,” according to a statement.

The Wolves are making their return to the Champions League for the first time since 2009.

In addition, Wolfsburg have joined an initiative launched by fellow Champions League participants Porto to donate one euro from every ticket sold to projects helping refugees in the local area.

It is not the first time Wolfsburg have invited refugees and asylum seekers to their home games, with 800 free tickets distributed for previous Bundesliga games and walk-on children selected for their game with Cologne last year from local refugees.