Football unites against racism

'Unite against Racism'
Representatives from UEFA's 52 member associations, Europe's leading clubs, supporters' organisations and anti-racist groups have converged on Stamford Bridge for a day of discussions being held under the banner 'Unite Against Racism'.

FARE support
The conference is being organised by European football's governing body, the English Football Association and the pan-European Football Against Racism (FARE) network, which has been given significant support by UEFA, including financial backing, since the network began its activities in 1999.

Close harmony
Racism and xenophobia has been a cancer within football for many years, and there is widespread consensus that racist attitudes have a detrimental effect on the game at all levels, on and off the field of play. For this reason, UEFA and FARE have been working in close harmony for some time to orchestrate a campaign which transmits a clear and coherent message that racists must be driven out of stadiums and off pitches.

Action plan and penalties
Last autumn, the two organisations joined forces to issue a ten-point plan of action aimed at helping associations and clubs to take measures against players, coaches, officials and supporters engaging in racist conduct. UEFA itself has also reinforced the disciplinary measures that can be taken for racist conduct. Penalties range from fines and suspensions to playing matches behind closed doors, and even stadium bans.

Top players invited
The conference agenda includes presentations by senior European football personalities, in-depth workshops and a panel session including top players, such as Chelsea FC's French international Marcel Desailly, who are active in the campaign against racism. Workshops topics include 'Educating fans, stewards and police', 'Developing policies at a national level', 'What clubs can do' and 'Tackling racism in UEFA competitions'. A draft guide to steps that should be taken to tackle racism in European football will be published at the conference.

Major personalities
Contributors at the conference include: Gerhard Aigner, UEFA Chief Executive; Per Omdal, UEFA vice-president; David Dein, Arsenal FC and FA vice-chairman; David Davies, the FA's acting CEO; Frantisek Laurinec, president of the Slovak Football Association; Dr Alfred Sengle, vice-president of the German Football Association; and the chairman of Chelsea FC, Ken Bates.

Former players
Among the other contributors are the national co-ordinator of FARE, Piara Powar; Garth Crooks, former player and broadcaster; Paul Elliott, ex-player and campaigner; Gordon Taylor, chief executive of the Professional Footballers' Association; plus some leading Premiership players. The conference will be co-chaired by UEFA communications and public affairs director Mike Lee and Lord Herman Ouseley of the UK-based organisation campaigning against racism in football, Kick It Out.

Clubs attending
In addition to UEFA's 52 member associations, clubs represented include Real Madrid CF, FC Bayern München, Liverpool FC, Leeds United AFC, S.S. Lazio, Parma AC, PSV Eindhoven, Rangers FC and Galatasaray SK.

Scourge of society
"UEFA realises that its action against this scourge of society is only one part of the picture, which is why we are pushing for a concerted effort on the part of all those concerned," said Gerhard Aigner. "The European conference on racism is a step in that direction. The first of its kind in European football, this conference is not an end in itself but rather a means to an end and the start of a campaign that should concern each and everyone of us."

UEFA's responsibility
"UEFA recognises that it has a responsibility to ensure that racism has no place in football," added Mr Aigner. "An important part of the sport's success is that it brings together players and spectators from different cultures. Football always has been, and must remain, a game for everyone and a strong force for integration and co-operation."