FARE Action Week gets bigger

Unprecedented

Symbolic stand
As has become customary in October, top European competitions – including the UEFA Champions League – will be joined by hundreds of grassroots initiatives from all corners of the continent in taking a symbolic stand against racism and discrimination. The activities are designed to raise awareness of the issue, and underline football's determination to stamp it out.

Call for action
Following a call for action in September, 200 groups have sent their creative ideas and submitted proposals for action. With the financial backing of UEFA, FARE is able to provide small-scale grants to nearly 120 groups, worth €50,000 in total. Activities on UEFA Champions League Matchday 3, 21/22 October, will help transmit the anti-racism message to packed crowds at 16 stadiums across Europe.

Thanks to clubs and players
"We thank the clubs playing in the UEFA Champions League for their participation in the FARE Action Week, and captains for accepting to wear the unite against racism captain's armbands," said UEFA communication director William Gaillard. "The players' testimony of respect for diversity is much appreciated."

Action Week poster
FARE has also supplied campaign materials for distribution across Europe, including a new Action Week poster. The poster has been designed by the Italian FARE group Progetto Ultrà and carries the slogan Different Colours One Game. In addition, the FARE commissioned anti-racism spot made for UEFA EURO 2008™ has been distributed widely. The 30-second film is spreading the No to Racism message to more than 140 million television viewers worldwide when it is broadcast at half-time in this season's UEFA Champions League matches through to the final in Rome on 27 May 2009. Click here for further details.

Focal point
The Action Week is co-ordinated by seven experienced FARE organisations based in Austria, England, Italy, France, Germany, Spain and Poland. Piara Powar, director for FARE UK members Kick It Out, said: "[It] provides a focal point for everyone connected to football, from supporters to players, to stand up against discrimination in all its forms. The game flourishes when people from all communities, and all walks of life, are able to participate in it. Activity like this reinforces the FARE ethos and is a vital part of the drive for equality at all levels of the game."

Get in touch
For advice on how you can join the Action Week, get in touch with the FARE contact responsible for your country which you can find on the back of the poster. (To download the FARE poster, click here.) If you would like a printed copy, please order one from pinter@vidc.org. Full details about FARE and the Action Week in English, German, French and Italian are available on FAREnet.org.