News in 2006
20th October 2006
Top clubs take Action
The global profile of Europe's premier club competition - the UEFA Champions League - has proved an ideal vehicle to spread the word against the evil of racism in football.
Matchday activities
This week's UEFA Champions League group stage matches saw a number of anti-racist activities to support the Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) network Action Week against racism, intolerance and discrimination. Activities included the captains of all the teams wearing Unite Against Racism (UAR) armbands, while player-escort children sported Unite Against Racism T-shirts.
Call for opposition
In addition, announcements were made to fans in stadiums over the loudspeaker systems calling for opposition to all forms of racism, and Unite Against Racism adverts were placed in matchday programmes as well as the official UEFA Champions League magazine Champions.
Lobbying activities
Supporters, players, clubs, associations, minority organisations, anti-discrimination groups, youth centres, schools and the sports media are all involved in campaigning work for the Action Week, which continues until 30 October. Participation by ethnic minorities and migrants, inclusion of women and girls, and action against homophobia in football are all on the agenda.
Tackling racism in club football
Following a successful joint conference in Barcelona earlier this year, FARE and UEFA have also produced a brochure, Tackling Racism in Club Football. The guide identifies the need to tackle racial abuse and institutional exclusion, and to ensure that clubs work together with minority and migrant communities, as the core issues for clubs.
Nyon match
UEFA will be making another onfield contribution to the FARE Action Week. The European body's staff team will play its traditional Action Week match against the Geneva-based HOPE team representing various nationalities who have come together for the event, to take place at the Stade de Colovray opposite UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland on Monday 23 October (20.00CET).
Source: UEFA
