The players of Koa Bosco pose for a team photo before a match.
The players of Koa Bosco pose for a team photo before a match.
Courtesy Domenico Mamoliti
The club is based in the southern town of Rosarno -- situated in the toe of Italy's "boot" -- while the players are primarily migrants or political refugees from Africa.
The club is based in the southern town of Rosarno -- situated in the toe of Italy's "boot" -- while the players are primarily migrants or political refugees from Africa.
Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images
Koa Bosco coach Domenico Mammoliti (right) poses with Antonio Conte, manager of the Italian national football team.
Koa Bosco coach Domenico Mammoliti (right) poses with Antonio Conte, manager of the Italian national football team.
Courtesy Domenico Mammoliti
A Koa Bosco player salutes Italian athlete Fiona May during the Italian Football Federation's anti-racism event "Razzisti? Una brutta razza." Koa Bosco recently won promotion from the bottom tier of Italian football.
A Koa Bosco player salutes Italian athlete Fiona May during the Italian Football Federation's anti-racism event "Razzisti? Una brutta razza." Koa Bosco recently won promotion from the bottom tier of Italian football.
Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images
Rosarno has seen conflict between African migrants and the native population in recent years. Here, immigrant workers hold placards as they protest in the Calabrian town in 2010.
Rosarno has seen conflict between African migrants and the native population in recent years. Here, immigrant workers hold placards as they protest in the Calabrian town in 2010.
AFP/Getty Images
Violence flared in 2010 when a migrant worker was shot. Days of rioting followed before many migrants were bused out of Rosarno by authorities to prevent more attacks.
Violence flared in 2010 when a migrant worker was shot. Days of rioting followed before many migrants were bused out of Rosarno by authorities to prevent more attacks.
AFP/Getty Images
But many stood in solidarity with the migrants in Rosarno. Here, protesters from anti-racism associations hold banners during a solidarity demonstration with immigrant workers in front of Italy's Interior Ministry in Rome.
But many stood in solidarity with the migrants in Rosarno. Here, protesters from anti-racism associations hold banners during a solidarity demonstration with immigrant workers in front of Italy's Interior Ministry in Rome.
ANDREAS SOLARO/afp/getty images
A number football initiatives have been set up to help bridge the gap between migrant and existing communities in Europe in recent years. Here, a player poses with a ball at the Balon Mundial 2015 tournament for migrant footballers and foreigners in the city of Turin, Italy.
A number football initiatives have been set up to help bridge the gap between migrant and existing communities in Europe in recent years. Here, a player poses with a ball at the Balon Mundial 2015 tournament for migrant footballers and foreigners in the city of Turin, Italy.
MARCO BERTORELLO/afp/getty images
Malian players pose before the match against Guinea as part of the 'Balon Mundial' football tournament for migrants and foreigners.
Malian players pose before the match against Guinea as part of the 'Balon Mundial' football tournament for migrants and foreigners.
MARCO BERTORELLO/afp/getty images
The players of Koa Bosco pose for a team photo before a match.
The players of Koa Bosco pose for a team photo before a match.
Courtesy Domenico Mamoliti
The players of Koa Bosco pose for a team photo before a match.
The players of Koa Bosco pose for a team photo before a match.
Courtesy Domenico Mamoliti