Antiracist World Cup event in Italy

Football, music and friendship were the key elements as thousands of fans from throughout Europe congregated in Italy for the Antiracist World Cup.

Throughout Europe
Supporters’ groups representing teams from Belgium, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland and Switzerland joined numerous immigrant and youth groups for the event in the town of Montecchio, in the Emiglia Romagna region.

Breaking down barriers
The Antiracist World Cup, a non-commercial event in which football supporters are encouraged to break down barriers between different cultures and mentalities, is organised by the Italian body Progetto Ultrà, which works together with the pan-European FARE network – one of the bodies on UEFA’s charity portfolio.

120 teams
More than 120 teams from various supporters’ and antiracist groups took part in a special non-competitive mini-football tournament, which was won by the Parma-based Comunità Latino America. A series of music concerts were also held to entertain the fans.

Spirit and ideals
The “Multikulti” Trophy was won by Furd Women All Stars Sheffield (England). This trophy is considered as the most prestigious award at the Antiracist World Cup, as it is given to the team to have best upheld the spirit and ideals of the tournament.

Other awards
Other awards were given to teams who had travelled the longest distance to the event – in this case, from Romania – teams with the oldest players and teams which have been regular Antiracist World Cup participants over the years.

Pakistan project
Progetto Ultrà say that the money raised from this year’s event will enable the organisation to contribute to an Italian project, “Progetto Scuola Pakistan”, which aims to provide schooling for Pakistani children, thus freeing them from hardship.