Anti-racist World Cup in Italy

UEFA is one of the main backers of the Mondiali Antirazzisti (Anti-racist World Cup), a small-sided football tournament taking place in Italy this week under the auspices of the pan-European Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) network.

Five-day event
European football's governing body has joined the European Commission's social authorities in giving high-profile support to the five-day event in Montecchio, in Italy's Emilia-Romagna region. The tournament is being organised by FARE's Italian partners Progetto Ultrà and Unione Italiano Sport per Tutti.

168 teams
More than 4,000 players in 168 teams (men's, women's and mixed) are expected for the event. They include fans of clubs from Italy and throughout Europe, migrant organisations, youth groups and anti-racist bodies. Teams from 20 European countries are likely to take part in the event, which is one of Europe's key gatherings in the fight to eliminate racism from football on and off the field. The migrant teams represent communities from Senegal, Pakistan, Chile, Bangladesh, Kurdistan, Kosovo and Moldova.

Football, culture and music
Football is not the only item on the agenda – cultural events and music concerts will be taking place, as well as various discussion groups between the participants to look at further ways of banishing discrimination from football and society.

Ideas source
"The Anti-racist World Cup began life as a simple demonstration, and with time has been transformed into a genuine laboratory of ideas," said Progetto Ultrà, an organisation supported by the Emilia-Romagna authorities, and which aims to eliminate intolerant and xenophobic behaviour from inside and outside football stadiums through social projects aimed at fans, while at the same time defending the traditional values of popular fan culture.

Projects and co-operation
"The event has given birth to parallel projects, co-operation between different groups and concrete action that takes place throughout the year," the organisation added. "The starting point was the discovery of common ground between people who had first met at the Anti-racist World Cup. The resulting exchange of ideas led to agreement and then encouragement to experiment and find other common ways of fighting discrimination."

Anti-racist Square
An 'Anti-racist Square' will be set up at the event. This area will be used to display material provided by each group to highlight their efforts in the fight against discrimination and racism. Video cassettes will be shown and informal meetings organised. Exhibition stands will also be set up, and T-shirts, books international handicrafts and other items will be on sale.