Stars give full backing

Making a stand
As part of UEFA's Unite Against Racism campaign, European football's governing body made use of its premier club competition to make a stand against racism during the Action Week organised by its partner, Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE).

No place in the game
At all 16 Matchday 3 games played on Tuesday and Wednesday, Europe's biggest stars backed the message against racism. Each team was accompanied on to the pitch by children wearing Unite Against Racism T-shirts, and tannoy announcements were made before each fixture. Fans in the stadiums and millions of television viewers heard the message that racism has no place in the sport.

Biggest anti-racism campaign
FARE's annual Action Week against Racism and Discrimination has grown over the last five seasons into European football's biggest anti-racism campaign. Alongside activities at professional clubs and leagues, the Action Week is giving fans, minority groups and grassroots football teams across the continent the opportunity to come together.

Ringing the alarm bell
"The partnership with FARE is one of our privileged partnerships," said UEFA's communications and public affairs director William Gaillard. "Football cannot solve European racism or discrimination problems alone – but it can ring the alarm bell. Because football is the No1 sport, what the players say and what UEFA does has an influence on young people - the people we have to reach for the future to stop racism."