UEFA's social conscience

Football and Society
The Football and Society conference was organised by Djurgårdens IF, and more than 100 participants dealt with topics such as the fan/club relationship, racism and discrimination, community integration, football and social integration and stadium issues.

Positive football
In a message to the conference, UEFA President Michel Platini congratulated the organisers for promoting positive football in both the amateur and professional sectors, as well as in society. "People of any ethnic or religious background should able to play and enjoy football, and no restriction should be made based on the colour of their skin," he said.

Core partnerships
At the conference, UEFA football and social responsibility manager Patrick Gasser outlined that UEFA's policy on social issues - where football can make a contribution to society as a result of its popularity and image - had been revamped in recent times to include a wider range of partners. Six core partnerships had been set up with major themes: racism and discrimination; peace and reconciliation; football for all (disabled players); health (public health issues); humanitarian and natural disasters; and the environment.

Ad hoc partnerships
Core partnerships, Gasser said, had been continued or started with the Football Against Racism (FARE) network; Terre des Hommes (Tdh); Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia (SOEE); Education 4 Peace (E4P); Cross Cultures Project Association (CCPA) and World Heart Federation (WHF). Limited-term, ad hoc partnerships were underway with the Homeless World Cup and the nature conservation organisation WWF. Public health activities will promote a healthy lifestyle through sport and activity.

Monaco award
In addition, Gasser explained, UEFA awards its annual CHF1 million (€650,000) Monaco charity cheque to deserving projects. The award is presented at UEFA's Monaco events in August which herald the start of the new European club competition season. Income from fines handed out by UEFA's disciplinary authorities will continue to be invested in social responsibility activities. In total, UEFA has committed to allocating 0.7% of it's annual revenue to social projects.

Contribution to society
At UEFA EURO 2008™ in June, Gasser said, the aims were to make a contribution to society via football, strengthen both security and the game's public image, integrate activities for children and fans and marginalised groups, take a stand against racism/discrimination, respect and celebrate diversity and convey a humanitarian message via the Score for the Red Cross fundraising campaign that supports a rehabilitation project in favour of landmine victims.

Click here for more details of UEFA EURO 2008™social responsibility activities