UEFA urges renewed anti-racist effort

Association call
The UEFA Executive Committee, meeting in Bratislava, Slovakia, reaffirmed the determination of European football's governing body to help eliminate this evil from the game. The committee urged Europe's national football associations to take advantage of UEFA's financial support for anti-racist schemes, and said that match delegates, venue directors and referees in particular should play a crucial role in recording incidents which could lead to possible sanctions.

Decisive action
UEFA's supreme executive body examined a report on UEFA's comprehensive policy to combat racism in the world of football. "Violence, racism and xenophobia are still a threat to football culture, and it is crucial to counter them with decisive and vigorous action," the report said, adding that despite the efforts being undertaken, the UEFA control and disciplinary body had been confronted by further racism cases at the start of this season.

'No let-up'
"Our efforts are being taken seriously, but recent incidents show us that there can be no let-up in the campaign," said UEFA communications and public affairs director Mike Lee. The report highlighted the many political and administrative activities that have been taking place over the past year. "UEFA has continued to reinforce and demonstrate its commitment to tackling the problem," it read.

Action plan
Key activities included a ten-point action plan and other work undertaken in conjunction with the pan-European Football Against Racism (FARE) network, and the successful 'Unite Against Racism' conference in London in March, which was attended by associations, leagues, selected clubs and leading players.

UEFA guide
In July, UEFA issued a guide to good practice against racism in English, French, German and Russian - a Spanish version has since followed - which received positive feedback, in particular from political circles. The campaign was promoted at last season's UEFA Champions League and UEFA Cup finals, and UEFA's disciplinary authorities imposed ten sanctions for racist incidents in 2002/03.

Support projects
UEFA is now encouraging more national associations to submit projects for support through UEFA's financial assistance scheme, announced last November. So far, ten proposed projects by associations have been approved by UEFA, and another seven countries have proposals currently under consideration. A total of €321,000 has been paid out as part of the scheme, leaving a balance of €1.3m.

Crucial role
"Certainly the role of member associations is crucial here," the report stated, "and the remaining 35 UEFA member associations are called upon to submit projects based on the UEFA guide to good practice."