Blowing the whistle

By Mark Chaplin

The campaign against racism in football - driven by UEFA, the pan-European Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) movement and other bodies - also includes the refereeing sector.

Vital contribution
Referees, and in particular assistant referees, can make a vital contribution to efforts to eliminate racism, intolerance and discrimination from the game. In recent times, there have been examples of leading European referees taking direct action. Dutch referee René Temmink stopped a recent top-flight game in the Netherlands after fans began insulting him and singing anti-Semitic chants.

For football's sake
When officials run the line at games, no matter how hard they concentrate, there is always the chance that they will hear remarks from the crowd behind - and there are certain remarks which should not go unheeded.

Report the matter
It is not only the top assistant referees who are performing in front of large crowds who can play their part. If you are the assistant for a game at grassroots level and you are witness to racist incidents or gestures on or off the pitch, then do not turn a blind eye - report the matter. By doing this, you will be playing your own small part in ridding football of a deeply worrying phenomenon.

List of sanctions
UEFA is working in close conjunction with FARE to combat the evil of racism in football. European football's governing body has reinforced its list of sanctions that can be imposed for those found to besmirch football in this fashion.

'Social problem'
"Racism is a social problem that spills over into football," FARE representative Piara Powar told a recent UEFA assistant referees' seminar. "You are in an ideal position to help UEFA in the process of dealing with this problem. You are close to the fans on many occasions, and you'll sometimes hear remarks that are being made behind you.

'Identify problems'
"You'll also see incidents such as banners being unfolded or even bananas being thrown on the pitch, which continues to be the case," he added. "You may hear monkey chants by spectators. You can identify problems that perhaps a referee or match observer won't be able to see or understand."

Urged to react
Such problems are obviously not confined to the grandstands. Assistants are being urged to react if they hear a player being subject to racial abuse close to them, given that this serious form of abuse can be punished both by the referee - and subsequently by football's disciplinary authorities.

'Lack of reporting'
"We would ask you to report what you hear or see to the referee, either immediately or after the game, so that the details can be passed on to UEFA's disciplinary bodies via the referee's report," Powar explained. "One of the problems that we have been facing in fighting racism is a lack of reporting. This has led to complaints from players who feel they have been subject to abuse, but the matter goes no further. A disciplinary process exists if an incident is reported.

'Responsibility to act'
"Racism is a moral and social issue," he continued. "It tarnishes the UEFA competitions and football in general. It is contrary to football's spirit. We all have a responsibility to act and challenge the problem.

'Invaluable support'
"We're not asking you to be the eyes and ears of UEFA. It's clear that you have other priorities in your roles - but you are near to crowds, and it goes without saying that any support and help that you can give is invaluable."