Anti-racism events across Europe

The fifth FARE Action Week against racism and discrimination in European football continued over the weekend with a series of high-profile and grassroots events across the continent.

Football free of racism
Various national associations, clubs and human rights non-governmental organisations staged events, in line with the emphasis of the Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) network on campaigning in central and eastern Europe for a football culture free of racism, anti-Semitism and discrimination. FARE and UEFA are co-operating in a concerted anti-racism campaign.

Romanian clubs involved
The National Council for Combating Discrimination in Romania continued its 'Show Racism the Red Card' campaign at top-flight matches. At stadium entrances, fans were welcomed with big posters with the slogan: "We are all DIFFERENT, we are all EQUAL and we are all a TEAM! We fight against discrimination! Join us!" Announcements against racism were made over stadium tannoys and teams raised red cards against racism before matches. The symbolic action has been accompanied by awareness-raising workshops in schools.

Action in Slovakia
In Slovakia, the national association joined the FARE Action Week for the second time. At all top-flight matches, children wore 'Show Racism the Red Card' T-shirts and presented a banner saying 'Football is a Game for All'. In addition, players raised red cards against racism and PA announcements were made.

Matches in Budapest
At grassroots level, the Mahatma Ghandi Human Rights Organisation in Hungary organised a series of football matches in Budapest, involving African Stars FC - who came second in this year's edition of the Mondiali Antirazzisti in Italy - the Croatian minority team Red Lions and other Hungarian teams. The matches are being accompanied by lectures on African history and minorities and a rich cultural programme.

Fans take responsibility
In Denmark, FC København fans published an anti-racism statement on various fan sites and on the club's official website, and stickers were handed out at the match against Viborg FF. The 'Brøndby Fans Mod Racisme' movement distributed flyers and players' cards with anti-racism messages at Brøndby IF’s match against Odense BK.

Austria on board
For the first time, the Austrian Bundesliga dedicated all first and second-division matches to the fight against racism and discrimination. Children accompanied players on to the field wth T-shirts bearing an anti-racism slogan. At the Vienna derby between SK Rapid and FK Austria Wien, the two teams displayed banners, a message was played on the big screen, and 10,000 copies of the match programme with an anti-racism pull-out were distributed for free.

United in the Netherlands
In the Netherlands, finally, PSV Eindhoven sent out a strong message at their game against AFC Ajax. Children held aloft a banner saying 'PSV against Racism' before the match, and messages were displayed in the match programme and on the big screen.

For activities in other countries, click here for the up-dated list of activities on www.FAREnet.org