News in 2006

04th March 2006

FIFPro asks for far-reaching measures against racism

FIFPro has reacted with incomprehension to the fine of 9,000 euros which has been imposed on Real Zaragoza of the Spanish football association. The reason for the fine were the continuous racial remarks from the Zaragoza public towards the Barcelona player Samuel Eto’o in the match between the two clubs last Saturday. FIFPro Secretary General Theo van Seggelen: 'These are not the far-reaching measures that the football world is waiting for.’

It was not the first time that the Zaragoza fans committed an offence. Zaragoza were fined 600 euros by the RFEF last season after a section of their fans directed racist abuse against Eto'o, whilst earlier this month, Zaragoza were fined a similar amount after some of their fans directed racist insults at Real Betis' Brazilian forward Robert.

'This is not a good signal’, according to FIFPro Secretary General Theo van Seggelen. 'I understand that FIFA Chairman Joseph Blatter has called the measure ridiculous and in this instance we are fully in agreement with each other. Everybody is in agreement that racism in football must be dealt with. A joint firm approach is required. A fine like this does not fit in with that.’

Incidentally FIFPro is of the opinion that punitive measures on their own are not sufficient. Last Tuesday, in the FIFPro board meeting, the FIFPro policy against racism was officially confirmed.

Van Seggelen: 'Along with punitive measures clubs and fans found guilty of racist abuse must be forced to involve themselves in educational initiatives aimed at eradicating the problem and monitored by the football federation. Ultimately the Government at national and European level should ensure that anti-discriminatory laws should be vigorously applied to sport and football in particular.’

Gerardo Movilla, chairman of the Spanish players union AFE and vice-president of FIFPro, thinks that the FIFPro policy is a clear starting point: 'It is especially important that the various bodies in the football world now work together and present a common front.’

Movilla: 'Tony Higgins of the Scottish SPFA is very active on behalf of FIFPro together with other parties to banish racism from international football. Recently the Written Declaration on Tackling Racism in Football was signed in the European Parliament. Following on from that an important meeting takes place in London next week. All sections of the football world are coming together to incorporate the different elements of the declaration into their statutes. We can’t accept that racism continues to blight the beautiful game of football.’

Also on a national level forces have joined together. Last year, the Spanish players union AFE signed an anti-racism agreement with the government (CSD, Consejo Superior de Deportes, the Sports Ministery), the Federation (RFEF, Real Federación Espanola de Futbol), and the League (LNFP, Liga Nacional de Futbol Profesional): "Protocolo de actuaciones contra el racismo, la xenofobia y la intolerancia en el futbol." ("Protocol of steps against racism, xenophobia, and intolerance in football.")

The subject matters of this protocol are:

Ways of prevention and protection of the physical and moral integrity of the victims of racist acts, xenophobia and intolerance incidents in football

Ways of localization and control of the participants in racist, xenophobic, intolerance and violent incidents

Ways of repression and sanction in racist acts, xenophobia, violence and intolerance incidents in football

Movilla: 'We send this protocol to all our 5.000 members. The 31 measurements in this protocol are controled by the governmental body "Observatorio del racismo, la xenofobia y la violencia en el futbol”’

Movilla: 'Last Wednesday, before the international match Spain - Ivory Coast, AFE had a meeting with the CSD and RFEF to discus the Eto’o incident. We decided to issue a joint press release during the next week. Join the Government and the Federation in their measures and actions is very important and is the best way to combat racism in football. Football players could be an example of integration since I´ve never seen a racist incident in the dressing room of a football team during my 16 years as a profesional footballer!’.

Movilla: 'On the 18th of March, when the protocol has it´s first anniversary, we will issue another press release with more news about our battle against racism in football.’

Source: FIFPro