Belgrade unites against racism

UEFA support
The three clubs, FK Crvena Zvezda, FK Partizan and FK Rad, are among dozens of clubs throughout Europe who are making a contribution to the Action Week against Racism being organised by the pan-European Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) movement, and supported by UEFA.

Red cards against racism
The trio are holding up red cards against racism to fans as their players line up before home matches during the Action Week, which continues until 28 October. Last Friday, Partizan players and FARE officials gathered for a press briefing in which the message was clear - racism on and off the pitch is an evil which must be eliminated.

Packed week
Dozens of events and activities are under way during a packed week across Europe. Before the German Bundesliga match against Hannover 96 last weekend, BV Borussia Dortmund's fans presented the anti-racism poster 'Welcome 2006' featuring players Christoph Metzelder, Sebastian Kehl, Tomáš Rosický and Evanilson and four young fans with an ethnic minority background. The poster was on display on the video screen at Dortmund's Westfalenstadion in front of a packed crowd.

Romanian poster
In Romania, the Romanian Football Federation joined forces with the country's National Council for Combating Discrimination and the FARE network to launch an anti-racism poster which was displayed at all matches in the Romanian First Division.

Dutch contribution
For the first time, leading Dutch clubs are joining the FARE campaign. Players from PSV Eindhoven and AFC Ajax are showing racism the red card; match programmes give considerable coverage to the issue of racism; and anti-racist film clips are being screened in stadiums.

Portuguese effort
UEFA EURO 2004™ hosts Portugal will become the 24th European country to be involved in the fourth FARE Action Week. Together with major clubs including UEFA Cup holders and Champions League participants FC Porto, the Portuguese players' union will organise a series of anti-racist activities in stadiums this coming weekend.

UEFA match
UEFA's contribution to the FARE Action Week includes a friendly football match featuring the UEFA staff team and a local multi-ethnic football team from the Geneva-based Africa-Suisse sporting organisation at the Stade de Colovray, opposite UEFA's headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland on Wednesday 22 October at 20.15CET.

Guide to Good Practice
European football's governing body also recently issued a Guide to Good Practice, an informative anti-racism brochure which is being circulated throughout the European football community - including all of Europe's national associations, leagues and clubs, UEFA referees, match delegates and venue directors.