The hallowed turf of Wembley Stadium was the scene for the Diwali festival of light — helping to bring the Hindu community into football.

It was the first ever Diwali festival staged at ‘the home of English football’ and marked a historic milestone for Hindu, Sikh and Jain communities, jointly organised by the FA and the Neasden Temple or Shri Swaminarayan Mandir.

The celebration to encourage community involvement in football included talks and a panel of professional players like John Barnes, one of the best England footballers of all time.

“It’s great that Neasden Temple is supporting this event at the home of football,” Barnes said. “I know this area well and used to play at Vale Farm and in Harlesden, Willesden and Neasden.”

Youths from the temple put on cultural performances of dance and the arti ceremony at the pitch side.

Former England women’s footballer Anita Asante, who has 71 international caps and is now first-team coach at Bristol City, said: “This engagement has helped increase girls’ participation in the game, especially girls from the Asian community, as football is supposed to be diverse and inclusive.”

The stadium was used as one of the FA’s ‘faith and football’ programme of events up and down the country.

FA chair Debbie Hewitt sent a video message from Athens, where she is with the England men’s team.

She recalled: “I remember my own visit to Neasden Temple, just how welcome you made me feel and that strong sense of togetherness. I hope you feel the same celebrating Diwali at Wembley Stadium.”

The spiritual leader of the Hindu community, His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, emphasised the importance of “widening the circle of harmony”. Wembley represented that harmony through football, a national sport “that can bring diverse communities together”.