'Equality is the watchword'

Message to be heard
Venues in north-west England - Blackburn, Blackpool, Manchester, Preston and Warrington - are staging matches at UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2005™, and are working with UEFA, the anti-racism group Kick It Out, England's Football Association as local hosts, and the eight competing nations to make sure an anti-racism message is heard at the finals.

Players and coaches' support
Throughout the tournament, players and coaches from all eight teams will be showing their support for UEFA's Unite Against Racism campaign, with members of each squad wearing T-shirts supporting the scheme, interviews on the subject from players, anti-racism information displayed at venues and inside match programmes, and a giant Unite Against Racism flag display by youngsters at half-time intervals.

FARE and UEFA
The pan-European Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) network - which includes Kick It Out - has been working with UEFA under the umbrella of the Unite Against Racism campaign by encouraging anti-racism activity at all levels of the game.

Fans' role
"Fans at WOMEN'S EURO 2005 can play a crucial role in our quest to rid the game of racist behaviour," said UEFA communications and public affairs director William Gaillard. "I hope that fans attending this summer's tournament will continue to embrace the Unite Against Racism campaign."

Heartening response
"The women's game does not have the same issues with racism that we see in men's football in some parts of Europe," explained Kick It Out director Piara Powar, "and so it is heartening to see players and administrators coming together to send out a message at the most important European gathering in the sport."

Open to girls and women
"Women's football can be proud of making itself open to girls and women of all backgrounds," he added. "This is a sport in which equality is the watchword."