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News in 2006

15th March 2006

Polish Players' Union OZZP starts red card campaign

During "The 1st International Indoor Football Tournament for Football Fans" in Walbrzych the Polish players’ union OZZP started their new campaign: "RED CARD TO AGGRESSION AND RACISM".

The one page document has received more signatures than any other previous written resolution of the parliament with 420 MEP's joining the call for action.

OZZP decided to focus their activities on the problem of violence and racism in football stadiums. In Poland, violence is much more common than racism, but as these problems quite often appear together, OZZP decided that it would be easier for us to fight against both of them.

Marek Pieta (sitting left), President of the Polish players’ union OZZP, together with Polish football fans. A great number of events have been planned within our campaign, raising awareness about the need to prevent these negative phenomena. As football fans make up the group which, to a great extent, dictates the presence of this kind of behaviour, the aforementioned tournament was a perfect opportunity to start this campaign. This tournament was held on 25/02/2006.

The President of OZZP, Marek Pieta, talked to football fans about their commitment to our campaign. The first steps towards joint actions have been taken. These actions aim to prove that football fans can have a good time and whilst maintaining a pleasant and safe atmosphere in football stadiums.

The first serious undertaking is planned for the 60th anniversary of The Football club "Gornik Walbrzych". It will be held on May 27th 2006 at Gornik stadium. Together with the Football Fan Club we will do our best to ensure an appropriate setting.

The next event within this campaign will be to organize a match between foreign players who play for Polish clubs (preferably African and South American footballers) and domestic players representing the Polish League. It will probably be held on the 3rd June 2006 in Opoczno.

PZPN (Polish Football Association), Ekstraklasa S. A. (Polish League) and two of the most important sports newspapers in Poland, "Pilka Nozna" and "Przeglad Sportowy", were asked by OZZP to take part in this event. They immediately pledged their support and assistance to OZZP during the campaign.

OZZP is still waiting for an answer from the Polish Sport Minister.

Source: FIFPro