Italy set for anti-racist tournament

Seven-a-side football
The seven-a-side competition is a multi-cultural sporting event which brings together fan groups, migrant and local communities, and anti-racist organisations from more than 30 countries for five days of football, music and anti-racist activities.

FARE network
Since its inaugural edition in 1997, the tournament has been run by the Progetto Ultrà UISP, one of the founding members of the Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) network - UEFA's partner in the anti-racism campaign - and the Italian historical and social institute Istoreco.

Record numbers
Taking place in the small Italian town of Montecchio in the Emilia Romagna region, the Mondiali Antirazzisti will involve a record 192 teams and more than 6,000 participants from across Europe.

'Sport for all'
UISP president Filippo Fossati said: "Our proposal is based on the idea that stadiums have to be places of social relationships, of sport for all. At the Mondiali Antirazzisti, six thousand people from all over Europe are coming to play for a real trophy. Football is a game, a game with others, not against others. This is the value of this championship."

Opportunity for debate
As in previous years, UEFA is backing this event which, for the first time, also has the support of the world body FIFA. As well as football, basketball and cricket matches, the Mondiali will offer the opportunity for debate on various topics and give the competing groups the chance to bring their own anti-racist material.

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