We cannot accept racism - Aigner

UEFA Chief Executive Gerhard Aigner has called on European clubs and associations to accept their responsibilities and play an intensified role in the fight to combat racism within football.

Punish racism
Speaking to a UEFA disciplinary workshop in Nyon, Switzerland, Mr Aigner said that European football's governing body had to punish clubs and associations for their fans' conduct as a means of reaching spectators who engaged in racist behaviour in and around football matches.

Presence unwelcome
"We are not willing to accept the presence of this way of thinking in our game," said Mr Aigner in outlining UEFA's campaign to stamp out racism and intolerance on and off the field.

Widespread campaign
UEFA recently issued a ten-point action plan to the European football community, listing a variety of measures which could be taken to promote the anti-racist campaign amongst fans, players and officials. The European body is also giving significant financial support to the pan-European Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) network, and has reinforced the punishment that can be handed out by its disciplinary authorities.

Fines and closed-door orders
The sanctions range from fines of around €14,000 for first cases, up to €70,000 for a repeat case and ordering a match to be played behind closed doors for a third offence.

'Clubs called to account'
"Objective responsibility is crucial when it comes to racism," said Mr Aigner. "A minority demonstrate racist behaviour in the stadium and clubs have to be called to account for this. It is an indirect way of getting at those who are the culprits."

Educational content
"We have always agreed that if we do not punish those who take part in our competitions, the clubs and associations, how can we reach the troublemakers? We are building up the disciplinary measures that can be taken and we hope that there is some educational content in this, in that everybody will understand that something needs to be done."

'Clear action'
"A club has to recognise when it has a problem with its fans," added the UEFA CEO. "We want them to take clear action - something needs to be done against such mentalities and clubs who do not act will have greater problems sooner or later."

Televised message
Turning to the punishment of playing matches behind closed doors, Mr Aigner said that it may become necessary to convey a type of message during any TV coverage of such a match - for example, showing pictures of incidents that led to the closed-door order - to tell the public why no spectators were being allowed into a particular match.

'Football must unite'
"I urge all those who have received our ten-point plan of action to take action," said Mr Aigner. "Education is a medium and long-term matter and this, coupled with disciplinary, political and administrative measures, will help us to stamp out racist incidents. European football must unite and act together."

Financial assistance
UEFA's Executive Committee will discuss a proposal for a new financial assistance programme to support anti-racist activities by UEFA's member associations when it meets in Copenhagen on Thursday and Friday.

Racist penalties
Here is an overview of penalties handed down by UEFA over the past two years for incidents involving racist conduct.