United against racism

Nyon match
The UEFA staff football team played a team from the Geneva-based Africa-Suisse sporting organisation (OSAS) at the Stade de Colovray, opposite UEFA's headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, with UEFA running out 2-0 winners.

Exhibition staged
European football's governing body also staged an exhibition at the entrance to its headquarters. The team from Geneva visited the House of European Football before the game, and received a presentation on UEFA's contribution to the anti-racism campaign.

Regular fixture
The match has become a regular part of UEFA's activities during the annual Action Week Against Racism, which is organised by the Europe-wide Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) network, one of UEFA's charity partners.

United against discrimination
The FARE Action Week is being staged at football venues across the continent, and continues until 28 October. Football clubs, supporters and ethnic minorities are taking responsibility for a variety of events and campaigns against racism.

Dozen nationalities
UEFA's opponents for the evening comprised players of more than a dozen different nationalities. "It's a wonderful honour for us to be invited to UEFA, and be asked to play football for a good cause," said OSAS's Dems Kuya Manzambi, who coached UEFA's guests.

Football's passion
"Our team is proof that people of different cultures and languages can come together and enjoy the passion of football," he added. "Racism is a phenomenon that must be removed from this great game."

African integration
OSAS is linked to a club in Vernier, close to Geneva, and aims to integrate young Africans, using sport to nurture close links with the local population in a spirit of fair play and solidarity. It is involved in the organisation of tournaments featuring local and African teams.

Key role
"Football plays a key role in the OSAS agenda as a result of its popularity in Africa and throughout the world," an OSAS spokesman said. "For this reason, we were happy to work together with UEFA as part of the programme uniting people against racism."