Anti-racism platform for Matchday 3

The campaign against racism in football reaches a significant milestone on Thursday when UEFA's long-standing partner, the Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) movement, launches its tenth Action Week – which will include activities at the next UEFA Champions League matchday on 20 and 21 October.

Across Europe
This season's Action Week takes place between 15 and 27 October, with the FARE network co-ordinating events in and around football stadiums across Europe, including at UEFA Champions League matches.

Symbolic stand
To celebrate the tenth successive staging of these activities, FARE has offered – with UEFA's backing – financial assistance worth a total of €50,000 to more than 130 local groups. These small-scale grants will sustain grassroots initiatives throughout the continent as supporters, players, clubs, associations, ethnic minority organisations and youth groups take a stand against racism and discrimination through activities designed to raise awareness.

UEFA Champions League activities
UEFA will play its part by dedicating Matchday 3 of the UEFA Champions League group stage on 20 and 21 October to FARE and its Action Week. One visible indicator of the European governing body's engagement will be the Unite Against Racism armbands worn by team captains in all 16 games. It is because racism and discrimination unfortunately remain a problem in European football that UEFA has forged a close partnership with FARE, giving considerable financial assistance to the network over the last decade.

Campaign material
The tenth Action Week is being promoted by a host of campaign material, including a new poster carrying the slogan 'All Colours Are Beautiful' which has been created by the English group Football Unites, Racism Divides. While the Action Week spanned nine countries in 2001, the 2009 edition will involve 40 European nations, all co-ordinated by eight experienced FARE societies in Austria, England, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Slovakia and Spain.

United stand
The idea behind Action Week is that the many initiatives and events not only address local problems within a club or community; they also reinforce the various projects at national or continental level by helping to present a united stand. Besides activities involving clubs, associations, leagues, even the UEFA competitions, Action Week also gives fans, minority groups and grassroots teams the opportunity to come together to celebrate the game's integrative power.

Click here for full details about FARE and the Action Week.

Click here to download the FARE poster.