WATCH: Stars from 14 Premier League clubs join video appeal to remember Shoah victims - The Jewish Chronicle

On any other day, Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes and Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva would be bitter rivals.

But the Premier League stars set aside their footballing differences on Holocaust Memorial Day as they urged fans to light a candle in honour of Shoah victims.

They were among players from 14 clubs in a video for the HMD Trust, delivering the message: “Light the darkness with us.

“Put a candle in your window to remember those who lost their lives simply for being who they were and stand against hatred and prejudice in the world today.

“Let’s get the whole nation behind this.”

We’re delighted to have worked with @premierleague football clubs for #HolocaustMemorialDay 2021.

Footballers are calling on the nation to #LightTheDarkness.

At 8pm tonight, light a candle and safely place it in your window to mark the day.
— Holocaust Memorial Day Trust (@HMD_UK) January 27, 2021

Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson, Wolves’ Joao Moutinho and Chelsea skipper Cesar Azpilicueta were among others pledging their support.

Their plea came as the FA and EFL announced a landmark decision to adopt the IHRA definition of antisemitism, previously accepted by the Premier League in December.

Chelsea are also planning to mark HMD with a tribute at tonight’s game against Wolves.

Names of 20 sportsmen and women murdered by Nazis —17 of them of Jewish heritage — will be read out in the stadium in front of players and club representatives.

Figures of the athletes will be illuminated during a display which the club said will “highlight that no part of society was spared. The club will continue to keep their legacy alight by sharing their stories to inspire future generations.”

Today on #NationalHolocaustDay we remember the millions of Jews who lost their lives in the Holocaust.

We’ll be paying tribute to the Jewish athletes that lost their lives before the start of tonight’s game.@WorldJewishCong #WeRemember pic.twitter.com/FnCsqKTbSZ
— Chelsea FC Women (@ChelseaFCW) January 27, 2021

The match-day ceremony is part of Chelsea’s larger Say No to Antisemitism Campaign, launched three years ago, which also includes a mural at Stamford Bridge and a virtual exhibition titled '49 Flames – Jewish Athletes and the Holocaust.’

A coffee table version of the exhibition, featuring the athletes’ stories alongside contributions from notable names like Israeli President Reuven Rivlin, will be available for sale from the club’s website.

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich said: “I hope these stories will serve both as a reminder of the atrocities suffered during the Holocaust and also as an inspiration to all of us to do our outmost to prevent them from ever happening again.”

The club’s Women’s Super League side announced they will also be honouring Shoah victims ahead of their match at Villa tonight.

To mark #HolocaustMemorialDay, we will be wearing black armbands in tonight's fixture.

Stand with us in the fight against prejudice and hatred. pic.twitter.com/qgUkN9xwfv
— Aston Villa Women (@AVWFCOfficial) January 27, 2021

Government antisemitism adviser Lord Mann, speaking as part of a livestream event this morning, emphasised how crucial such initiatives can be in the fight against Jew-hate.

He said: “The reach of football, the vitality of football, the colour of football; if a football club does something around antisemitism and puts [it] out there, then the reach is worldwide.

“There are boys and girls, adults as well, in this country [and] all over the world who wear those football shirts.

“And the badge of football is so powerful. And that’s the difference that football can make.

“I’ve seen the change it’s made to young kids who spewed out racism one day at home, and a few weeks later apologising to their football club, understanding the values, what it means to wear the shirt.”

Wembley Stadium is one of the many landmarks across the UK being illuminated in purple today to mark HMD.