Warsaw set to stage anti-racism summit
Monday 26 January 2009
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A Football Against Racism in Europe banner gets the message across (©AFP)
UEFA, together with the players' union FIFPro and the governing body's partner in the anti-racism campaign, the pan-European Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) network, are finalising preparations for a keynote conference that will press home the message that racism, intolerance and discrimination have no place in the game.
Warsaw venue
The third Unite Against Racism Conference will be hosted by the Polish Football Association in Warsaw on 3 and 4 March, with some 250 delegates expected from national associations, clubs, leagues, non-governmental organisations, the media and representatives from the world of politics.
Agenda
The objectives of the conference include raising awareness of the problems of racism and discrimination in football among the members of the football family; proposing positive and practical solutions for addressing racism in the game and in society; and sharing examples of good practice in different settings and among different actors – clubs, NGOs and supporters' groups.
Third such gathering
Two previous conferences of this nature have taken place, in London in 2003 and in Barcelona in 2006, with the football community – players, officials, coaches and fans – joining together to look at key issues in what has become a central campaign within football.
Partnership
UEFA and FARE have been partners for several years. The FARE movement brings together equality groups from across the continent, supporting them and helping create a united front against racism. UEFA, in addition to providing significant financial assistance, uses its leading competitions to give a platform to anti-racism activities and to promote respect for diversity. A number of top European footballers have also lent their support over the years.
'Without fear'
"We want to see the 'beautiful game' played without the cancer of racism," says FARE. "Football is the biggest sport in the world and belongs to us all. It should be the right of every person to play, watch and discuss freely, without fear. Unfortunately, at all levels of the game, from amateur to international, there are incidents of racism – be it from fans, players, clubs or other football bodies. FARE believes that such behaviour, on and off the field, is unacceptable and unwanted by the majority of fans and players."
Ongoing campaign
UEFA operates a zero tolerance policy against racism and takes disciplinary measures against offenders, and together with the European Commission and the FARE network, launched an anti-racism television spot at the start of the current season to spearhead the ongoing campaign. (Click here to see the TV spot.)
Action Week
Last summer, the UEFA EURO 2008™ championship also served to highlight the anti-racist movement, via the Unite Against Racism campaign and various activities including street football tournaments, an awareness scheme and the inclusion of local ethnic minorities. Two matchdays during the finals were devoted to this theme, and UEFA contributed €312,500 to the project. During FARE's high-profile Action Week in October, the UEFA Champions League matchdays presented an ideal opportunity to transmit the anti-racist message to thousands of supporters in the stadiums and millions of television viewers. (Click here to learn more about the Action Week.)
'Review and renew'
In his invitation letter for the Warsaw conference, UEFA General Secretary David Taylor writes: "We now want to create an opportunity to review progress and renew our call for action. In particular, we want to record positive developments and in view of EURO 2012™ look at the challenges facing us in the east and what more the European football family can do."
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