Tackling Racism in Club Football a Guide for Clubs Produced by FARE for UEFA UAR Tackling Racism 9.08.2006.Qxd 1/11/06 09:01 Page 3
UAR_Tackling_Racism_9.08.2006.qxd 1/11/06 09:01 Page 1 second unite against racism conferencesecond unite against email: [email protected] +41 22 707 28 38 fax: +41 848 04 27 tel: UEFA Media Services www.farenet.org
second unite against racism conference Tackling racism in club football A guide for clubs Produced by FARE for UEFA UAR_Tackling_Racism_9.08.2006.qxd 1/11/06 09:01 Page 3
uniteagainstracism 02 Photographs: Arsenal Football Club, Empics, Getty Images, Kick It Out, People Against Racism (Slovakia), Reuters, UEFA, Woods. ©UEFA 2006. All UEFA names and logos are registered trademarks of UEFA. All rights reserved. Designed and printed by Works Ltd, Leeds (England). 4.d 4.c 4.b 4.a 4. 3.a 3. 2. 1. Contents managers/coaches activities for action campaign – Ground rules and sexism and discrimination Using players and Anti-racism days Education through symbolic Setting up working groups Running a club-specific Dealing with homophobia Tackling all forms of racism What is racism? About this guide aePage Page 18 17 15 14 12 10 08 07 05 10. 9. 8.b 8.a 8. 7. 6.a 6. 5.a 5. 4.e UEFA and FARE The partnership between for ethnic minorities Increasing opportunities communities Working with ethnic minority Using the media Ethnic minorities as fans Stewarding and policing Dealing with far-right fans Working with fans Keeping the flag flying FARE action weeks Activities in schools 34 32 31 30 28 26 24 22 21 20 19
uniteagainstracism 03 UAR_Tackling_Racism_9.08.2006.qxd 1/11/06 09:01 Page 5 racism 05 racism racism 04 racism against against unite unite 1. About this guide
In 2003, UEFA and FARE jointly These incidents have led to The main issues for clubs are published a good practice guide concerns at a political level, identified as the need to tackle for tackling racism in European with governments seeking to racial abuse and institutional football following the first Unite intervene to encourage and exclusion above all, and then Against Racism conference at support the process of tackling to ensure that we are working Chelsea FC in London. The guide racism and discrimination. to integrate minority and migrant looked at the issues facing communities. This guide sets out national associations and reported Earlier this year, the European what can be done and how. on activities being undertaken by Parliament passed a resolution key actors in European football. noting that protection from The guide has been developed discrimination for reasons of following the second Unite In 2003, the need to tackle racism ethnic origin or nationality is a Against Racism conference was already understood as an fundamental objective of the at the Camp Nou, Barcelona, issue the European game needed European Community. in February 2006. The practice to address with vigour. Since The “Independent Review of suggested here is tried and tested then, the political and sporting European Sport” also noted in its or practical enough to be adapted environment has moved it further report that, “it cannot be ignored to the needs and operating up the agenda. that sports events have often environments of most clubs. witnessed outbreaks of racism Within the game, there has been and xenophobia” and urged It would be impossible to include concern about players who have action from the football family. all examples of good practice in been abused at the highest level; a document of this kind, so the in some countries, far-right and Club football is at the heart of our focus is on setting out broad neo-Nazi activities around sport. The clubs themselves, their principles and advice, with a stadiums have become more players and fans make the news few relevant examples. It is to evident, and prominent individuals week in, week out for most of the all intents and purposes a starting have made abusive comments year. It is where many of the most point that will help us to reach that have been broadcast around dynamic developments in the our collective goal of a sport that the world. game take place. And it is at club is free of discrimination and an level that action to tackle racism exemplar for the ideal of a bears most fruit. multicultural Europe. UAR_Tackling_Racism_9.08.2006.qxd 1/11/06 09:01 Page 7 racism 07 racism racism 06 racism against against unite unite
2. What is racism?
Racism is the belief in the Racism is a problem across There also remain forms of superiority of a race, religion or Europe with ethnic minorities racism that are centuries old. ethnic group. It is most commonly and immigrants usually the focus These include racism towards expressed through less favourable of abuse, harassment and Jews (anti-Semitism), Roma treatment, insulting words or discrimination. In many parts of communities and national practices which cause disadvantage. Europe, minorities subjected to minorities. In recent years there racism will be those from has been a growth in Islamophobia, It can occur intentionally, neighbouring countries or regions. resulting in attacks and or through a lack of understanding discrimination against Muslims. and ignorance. It may manifest In West European nations, itself openly or covertly. It occurs victims are often citizens of former at all levels of an industry or colonies, originating from Africa, organisation – within football it the Caribbean or Asia, or have a may range from fans hurling racial background as migrant workers. abuse to exclusionary practices by governing bodies of all levels, clubs or other partners of the game. UAR_Tackling_Racism_9.08.2006.qxd 1/11/06 09:01 Page 9 racism 09 racism racism 08 racism against against unite unite 3. Tackling all forms of racism and discrimination
Racism is not difficult to Anti-Semitism remains an issue Dealing with some forms of In all European countries, 'gay' has understand. It manifests itself in in parts of the continent. In some racism is straightforward but it become a synonym for everything different forms but the core issues countries, the Jewish community is not as easy to deal with issues fans dislike. Homophobia and remain consistent. continue to be blamed for problems that may have the tacit support sexism for many fans is simply an despite a presence and influence of the majority population or are integral part of footballing culture. The most common and easily that is far smaller than mythology not clearly visible through being identifiable forms of racism in suggests. It is not uncommon to directed at players on the field It might seem daunting to football are those directed at black see neo-Nazi symbolism and anti- of play. understand how a club could tackle players. Other issues include abuse Semitic slogans inside and outside a problem that has arisen from on the basis of background football stadiums. Other forms of discrimination, generations of conflict or a history directed at, for example, Muslims, such as sexism and homophobia, that refuses to go away. The advice Jews or the Roma community. In some Central and East European are also common in the game. is simple. Understand the issues as countries, systematic discrimination Homophobia can be defined as they affect your club and seek It is also mirrored in football against the Roma is reflected in an irrational fear and intolerance simple but humane ways of through the lack of equal football through racial abuse and of homosexuality, gays, resolving them. Where an issue representation of minorities in the the development of parallel and lesbians. extends beyond football, contribute game; the systematic exclusion of playing structures. what you can to resolving conflict. Roma communities at all levels of the game is one example. In the Balkans, extreme nationalism has led to wars and conflicts that will take generations to overcome. In these regions football is all too often divided along ethnic lines. Religious hatred manifests itself in many forms in Scottish and Northern Irish football with ongoing anti-Catholic and pro-Republican chanting and violence at football matches in Glasgow and Edinburgh. UAR_Tackling_Racism_9.08.2006.qxd 1/11/06 09:02 Page 11 racism 11 racism racism 10 racism against against unite unite
3.a
Dealing with Five-point plan against homophobia
homophobia and sexism The FARE network has been working with the European Gay and Lesbian Sports Federation and in Homophobia in football is carried The reason players have not come 2005 adopted a five-point plan for fighting sexism by invisibility and silence. out is because the structures of and homophobia: the game of football are not seen There is not a single player in the as tolerant enough for a player to 1 Putting sexism and homophobia on the European professional leagues risk coming out. In order to reach agenda - Underpinning all action is the need to who is openly gay. There are that point, football will need to acknowledge that sexism and homophobia homophobic and anti-homosexual recognise that lesbian and gay exist in football. slogans and chants in most players exist and are a welcome stadiums across Europe. part of our sport. 2 Taking collective responsibility - The abuse Homosexuality continues to associated with sexism and homophobia be regarded as a taboo and affects everybody in football, not just a provocation. homosexuals and women.
The activities of The FA in England may serve as good practice for other 3 Focusing our work - The development of European associations in the fight against homophobia. Among the key women’s football has resulted in increased parts of its strategy are visibility (e.g. through good practices, conferences, identification and respect - The existence roundtables, PR campaigns), participation (e.g. by creating grassroots of homosexual role models could help free organisations and support committees), training and education football of its taboos. (e.g. of coaches, managers, referees), rules and regulations (e.g. raising the visibility of abuse and discrimination), and evaluation 4 Giving examples of good practice - Presenting and monitoring. the diversity of the game by reporting on women’s football, gay and lesbian involvement as the norm.
5 Reporting homophobia - All abuse should be reported for action through sanctions wherever or by whoever the abuse occurs. UAR_Tackling_Racism_9.08.2006.qxd 1/11/06 09:02 Page 13 racism 13 racism racism 12 racism against against • UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEM – It is easy to argue that issues unite unite such as racism are not within the domain of your club, that they are broader societal issues which should be left to other authorities. Most clubs will find it helpful for key staff to undergo an awareness training programme. 4. • BE CLEAR ABOUT YOUR OBJECTIVES – Are you running a campaign to tackle racist chanting, or to reach out to local ethnic Running a club-specific campaign - minority communities, or both? Develop principles for action that can be widely publicised, that all internal and external stakeholders within the club can support. Encourage publicity Ground rules for action and ownership of these ideas.
Every football club has a unique Not all clubs face the same • WRITE A PLAN OF ACTION – Include practical outcomes for history, traditions and social problems and so it follows that implementing your objectives. Use the UEFA ten-point plan as a context. The most effective the solutions should be tailored basis for the measures your club can take. Set targets for challenges to racism are to specific needs. progress and monitor regularly. club-specific campaigns that recognise this context and It is possible to set out some • DEVELOP A CLEAR IDENTITY for your campaign, to help address problems that are present basic guidelines and ideas recognition and spread ownership among supporters. You may in the locality or region. for tackling racism. wish to develop a specific brand name.
• MONITOR AND REPORT PROBLEMS – Develop systems for monitoring and reporting racial abuse and discrimination in all areas of your club.
• PARTNERSHIPS – Work with fans, players, stewards, NGOs and community organisations with expertise in the field to implement your action plan. Make sure you involve ethnic minority and migrant communities.
• FAN CULTURE - Use the culture and traditions of fans to help get your message across. Use message boards and other media associated with fans.
• USE YOUR ICONS – Draw on the support and appeal of players to endorse anti-racist and anti-discriminatory messages.
• MEDIA ACTIVITIES – Work with the media to publicise your activities.
• ENCOURAGE NEW AUDIENCES – Work towards making your club as open as possible. Take specific measures that encourage ethnic minorities, migrants and women to get involved as fans, players and employees. UAR_Tackling_Racism_9.08.2006.qxd 1/11/06 09:02 Page 15 racism 15 racism racism 14 racism against against unite unite
4.b 4.a Education through Setting up working groups symbolic activities
To help steer your anti-racism These types of groups can bring Anti-racism and anti-discrimination Football provides unique opportunities work it may be useful to set up a advice and ideas to your work activities are about education in to challenge racism inside stadiums partnership that involves a range and help gain the trust of sceptics. the widest sense. People dislike, and to contribute to the changing of representative groups meeting They should be led by a mistrust or abuse those that are of attitudes at large. regularly to advise on the direction designated member of the different because of attitudes of your activities. management team who attends developed through popular and acts as a liaison person. misconceptions. Myths, fears and prejudices are all fuelled Rangers FC has an in-house Sectarian and Racism Monitoring by external forces. Committee comprising key officials from within the club. Its function is to monitor relevant matters as they affect football in general and Rangers FC in particular. The committee meets monthly and ensures that Rangers FC constantly challenges inappropriate behaviour at matches.
The committee has also been instrumental in an ongoing ”Pride Over Prejudice” initiative, an official policy statement, a “Blue Guide” for fans to follow, internal and external ten-point plans for employees and fans respectively, terms and conditions for season ticket holders, poster advertising on internal concourses, trackside advertising, etc. UAR_Tackling_Racism_9.08.2006.qxd 1/11/06 09:02 Page 17
uniteagainstracism 16 Anti-racism 4.c of players just before kick-off. of players just before Racism T-shirts and line up in front Young people wear Unite Against dedicated to anti-racism. days are UEFA Champions League match During the FARE action week, two red card. players showing racism the anti-racism day activities include In Norway, Scotland and Slovakia do and are effective. All of these activities are easy to here) or lining up behind a banner. (other messages can also be used up red cards against racism message on them, players holding of play wearing T-shirts with a warm media. These might include players curiosity among fans and the Activities with players will raise and against racism. out messages in favour of diversity elements of the match day to send days, in which a club uses of doing this are through action Among the most successful ways ing up or entering the field days taking place. in explaining activities that are important and highly effective role Tannoy announcements play an players underlining the message. messages from the coach and day programmes should carry Where they are produced, match- highlight the game. should be prominently posted to release and other information attend games or not. A press information for fans, whether they the most popular sources of Official club websites are among in and through football. highlighted the fight against racism FARE round action week an entire 20 professional clubs. During the anti-racism team posters with all the Austrian Bundesliga produced One Game” campaign involving The “Fair Play, Colours, Different days is available from FARE. anti-racism or anti-discrimination A fuller guide to organising very supportive. planned well crowds will be half-time entertainment; if this is Some clubs organise multicultural be supported and encouraged. week. Initiatives of this kind should fanzines during the FARE action involved in distributing leaflets or stadium. Fans have also been up banners across a section of the out anti-racism messages or hold choreographic displays to spell and supported their fans to use Many clubs have encouraged
uniteagainstracism 17 UAR_Tackling_Racism_9.08.2006.qxd 1/11/06 09:02 Page 19 racism 19 racism racism 18 racism against against unite unite
4.d Using players and 4.e managers/coaches Activities in school
Enlisting the support of players In the Hungarian football leagues, Most NGOs active in the area of As part of the “dem ball is’ egal” and managers/coaches, who are the Ethical Committee has advised race and football produce resource project, the Schalker Fan Initiative the icons of the game and often clubs to invite a person of high materials for local schools. has produced an innovative direct victims of racism, is crucial reputation and popularity Clubs can either support these CD-ROM which has been for changing the views of fans and (e.g. a former top player of the resources or work with education extensively used by schools in other players. club) to address the crowd by authorities to produce their own the North Rhine-Westphalia region loudspeaker should racist materials. They all draw on the of Germany. Clubs should encourage their incidents occur. appeal of the game through players to speak out in the media videos, DVDs or CD-ROMs to get The “Show Racism the Red Card” when an incident takes place as The player unions in Portugal a message across to young people campaigns in England, Norway a means of driving a message (SJPF), England (the PFA) and in an accessible way. and Scotland have used school against intolerance home Scotland (SPFA) have long competitions and resources such with force. understood the impact racism Many also run school competitions as videos to develop educational has in the game and have been that are enormously popular. programmes in classrooms. An appearance by a player at a instrumental in initiating and Competitions are a regular feature community event or school will supporting campaigns that have in England, Germany, Norway often do more to communicate been taken up by their members. and Scotland. the message than months of campaigning can achieve. Across Europe players have supported work in schools and helped to produce videos and other materials.
FIFPro, the international federation of player unions, has become active in the fight against racism and is supporting anti-racism projects worldwide. UAR_Tackling_Racism_9.08.2006.qxd 1/11/06 09:02 Page 21 racism 21 racism racism 20 racism against against unite unite
5. 5.a FARE action weeks Keeping the flag flying
FARE has held six Europe-wide In 2005, for example, FARE More fan groups are now organising Clubs should be proud of their stance against racism and maintain weeks of action against racism worked with representatives themselves to challenge racism. a high visual presence throughout the season. This can be done and discrimination during which from 35 different countries. In Spain, following a season in through banners and pitch-side boards, as recommended within the football family works with local The activities increased, with new which racism in football hit the the UEFA ten-point plan, or through messages in programmes, partners, NGOs, fan groups and groups from Eastern and Central headlines, ultra groups have come public announcements or on official stationery. national associations to organise Europe, including those from together for the first time to plan activities in professional and the former Soviet Union and joint activities. In France, the community football. the Balkans. “Réseau Supporter de Résistance Antiraciste” organised highly visible The 2006 week of action takes Greater involvement with groups activities. In Germany, groups from place from 17 to 30 October. such as the Roma minority in Bayern Munich, Werder Bremen, Eastern Europe was an Hannover 96, Schalke 04, 1860 encouraging feature of the Munich and Fortuna Düsseldorf activities. One of the many were active during home matches. successful stories this year was In Italy, ultra groups across the the partnership between the country organised anti-racist Mahatma Gandhi Human Rights choreographic displays. Organisation and clubs in Hungary with a historical far-right following. Since 2003, FARE has worked with clubs and supporter groups in Serbia and Montenegro to organise regular anti-racism match days. In addition, thousands of leaflets are handed out by supporters of the clubs. In 2005, the highlight was the Red Star v Partizan Belgrade derby.
Full details of action weeks are available on www.farenet.org UAR_Tackling_Racism_9.08.2006.qxd 1/11/06 09:02 Page 23 racism 23 racism racism 22 racism against against unite unite
6. Working with fans
It is often said that supporters In countries such as The stands are seen as the If you are setting up a working are the lifeblood of football, that England and Germany, spaces inhabited by and group, ensure that fans are the game would lose its appeal many of the challenges to belonging to fans. Peer pressure, involved. This can be done without them. In the area of anti- racist behaviour have been whether it is led by organised through individuals or through discrimination, fans are important initiated by fans who wanted to terrace groups or simply through talking to group representatives. for understanding racism in stop the abuse they were hearing the shared bond of supporting the There may be resistance at first football stadiums. around them. same team, runs through football. but if your message is clear and inclusive others will understand The patterns of fan support differ They did so by running their own The values and norms championed and begin to support your work. across the continent – in some campaigns or urging their clubs to by the group identity is the most countries fan groups are the take action. The best anti-racist effective way of dealing with The fanzines and websites of fan means through which individual campaigns will work with supporters racist fans. groups provide a useful barometer supporters relate to their club, to spread ownership, help deliver of the current debates taking they have a major say in how fans the message and encourage Initiate a culture in which fans place. Forward-thinking fans will respond to issues. In other self-policing. Fans should believe understand why racism needs to often be involved in debating countries fans consume the game that the message has both be challenged and are active in issues and ensuring they are on a more individual level. relevance and importance for doing so through peer pressure doing all they can to make sure them. Fans’ knowledge of their and self-policing takes over as the the message is being heard. As the perpetrators of overt racial own culture, the approach to be most effective way of doing so. abuse, fans are the cause of the taken, the words to use, and the problem, but they are also at the actions you are planning, are all centre of a culture that offers important ingredients for success. solutions. For this reason alone, their involvement in your work is critical. UAR_Tackling_Racism_9.08.2006.qxd 1/11/06 09:02 Page 25 Dealing with 6.a was “a fascist but not a racist”. Roman salute, by saying that he straight arm, known in Italy as the a right-hand salute given with Paolo di Canio recently justified attending matches. be members of such groups through individual fans who may themselves with far-right views or the form of fan groups affiliating football stadiums. This may take being played out regularly inside the politics of far right are In a number of countries, uniteagainstracism 24 far-right fans on a pedestal. of neo-Nazism the paraphernalia right-wing groups will also place against minority groups. And some prejudice and discrimination political views will encourage But we should recognise that some to their private political views. the law, all individuals are entitled If they are within the scope of stewarding checks. persuasion as through as much through dialogue and though some may wish to do so materials with neo-Nazi symbolism, Clubs have the right to confiscate them where they appear in graffiti. types of symbols and to erase asks clubs to be alert these of legality, the UEFA ten-point plan in some countries, but regardless such as the swastika, will be illegal The most obvious symbols, www.farenet.org symbols contact FARE For help in identifying these esoteric and difficult to identify. swastika – but others can be cross or perversions of the well known – such as the Celtic badges. Some symbols may be used on banners, T-shirts and identified through the symbols Far-right groups can often be following were involved in actively challenging their own supporters. following were clubs which have historically had a major far-rightweek in 2005. As a result, clubs to coordinate a series of anti-racism activities during the FARE action a partnership with several Hungarian professional football descent, formed and people of African organisation working with asylum seekers, refugees In Hungary, the Mahatma Gandhi Human Rights Organisation, a community was loudly applauded by the crowd whenever he touched ball. Hernani the “Never Again” campaign logo, “Let’s kick racism out of the stadiums”. them at the gates. Korona’s on the pitch in T-shirts players appeared with banned from the stadium when security officials stopped and they were displayed at the ticket office neo-Nazi fans were of six recognised pictures A month later, the Korona Kielce v Odra Wodzislaw before Slaski game, the signing of Brazilian player. The majority of Korona’s with the decision and supported supporters agreed that these fans would be banned from visiting Korona’s stadium. of neo-Nazi fans taken during the game and announcing police with pictures immediately by criticising the incident, providing and officials reacted The club took advice from a Polish NGO, the Never Again Association, was subjected to monkey chants from supporters, including the club’s own. The player was signed and during the first game of season Hernani opposed to the move on basis of his race. consulted were The groups signing a Brazilian black player – Hernani. groups before In 2005, Polish first division club Korona Kielce held meetings with fan to congregate. far-right policy of refusing English clubs have a firm groups permission by the right-wing groups. frequented occupied the spots normally groups by distributing their own anti-racism leaflets and simply physically of neo-Nazi In England during the 1980s, fans challenged presence
uniteagainstracism 25 UAR_Tackling_Racism_9.08.2006.qxd 1/11/06 09:02 Page 27 racism 27 racism racism 26 racism against against unite unite
7. Stewarding and policing
While longer-term solutions to The primary objective of all This may take the form of visible In England, a training programme Glasgow Rangers in Scotland have The Hungarian leagues have racism lie in strategies that draw stewarding should be to ensure ground regulations and the training for stewards has been drawn up plain-clothed stewards to adopted the rule that in the event on campaigning and education, the safety of spectators and of stewards to recognise racism by Kick It Out with the support of sit in the crowd and identify of racist behaviour in the crowd, the effective stewarding and players. In doing so, stewarding as it occurs through chants, the governing body and leagues. offenders or confirm complaints the referee is obliged to stop the policing of racism inside stadiums practices should work with, and symbols and banners. Operational The one-hour programme, which previously received. game and, in consultation with the should also be a part of these not against, fan cultures. Good protocols need to set out the is delivered to every steward in match delegate, take a decision as wider strategies. stewarding allows fan cultures to action that should be taken where England and Wales, covers In addition, the club entered into to whether to continue with the flourish whilst effectively racism occurs. problem recognition – such as an official protocol with its regional match or abandon it immediately. The culture and types of football challenging racial abuse. listing offensive terms and the police force whereby the identities Should the racist behaviour support differ across Europe. In Germany, FC Sankt Pauli take operational responses required of persons arrested for football- continue, the game will be In some countries fans might Stewarding and policing policies a firm line against those involved in when perpetrators are identified – related crimes are revealed and abandoned. All these cases display banners, flags and scarves should reflect these different racism. The club sets out a clear and stewards’ responsibilities. official warnings as well as are then submitted to the as they stand behind fences. circumstances and include policy with prominently displayed indefinite and lifetime bans disciplinary committee. In another, chants and songs echo measures to ensure the effective stadium regulations. Once imposed and recorded by out as supporters wearing replica policing of racism. identified, the individuals are Rangers FC. The names of referees who do not shirts sit with an unobstructed banned and referred to the club’s apply these rules are removed view of the pitch. fan project, whose officials work from the list. with them. UAR_Tackling_Racism_9.08.2006.qxd 1/11/06 09:02 Page 29 racism 29 racism racism 28 racism against against unite unite
8. Working with ethnic minority communities
Europe is changing. Patterns of In England, professional clubs In Oslo, Vaalerenga started the ADO Den Haag of the first division, immigration are making many realised many years ago that “Colourful” tournament for for example, invited asylum seekers places much more diverse and community work and football go youngsters not formally involved in to participate in a workshop with providing challenges for all of us. together, and a multitude of a club, so that minority children in players Geert den Ouden, Spira The Pakistani Italian, the schemes now use stadium particular would be invited to play. Grujic and Youssef El Akchaoui Vietnamese Pole or the Senegalese facilities and the appeal of the This tournament has now been and attend a match. Norwegian are helping to shape game to deliver community work. taken up nationally by the new cities infused with the Norwegian FA. Other clubs, such as FC Utrecht economic and cultural energy that As local populations change, and NEC Nijmegen, have a project migrants bring. it is important that clubs should In Sheffield, the “Football Unites, called “The Hero”, within which be working with new communities Racism Divides” (FURD) project players visit schools to talk about Many professional football clubs, that may be emerging. By working has been working with both respect, equality and social regardless of their size, will stand with ethnic minorities, you can Sheffield clubs to counter the responsibility with students. as beacons within their show how your club can be open exclusion of young people from communities. The sheer physical and welcoming, gaining the trust local minority communities Other notable projects in the presence of a stadium with and cooperation of new residents. through football-themed activities. Netherlands include that of VVV thousands of visitors every two They recently celebrated ten years Venlo player Mohamed Allach, weeks gives it a presence within German Bundesliga club Schalke of showing how football, education who is active with his foundation local communities that is unmatched 04 have shown the lead through and community involvement can MaroquiStars. The foundation by most other institutions. the stated aim of "promoting the bring about changes to the lives seeks to improve the image of social integration of immigrant of young people. Moroccans in the Netherlands by It is often argued that clubs should citizens". visiting schools and organising an be using the appeal of football In the Netherlands, all first and annual match between Moroccan to get involved in their local In Norway, SK Vard Haugesund second division clubs are involved players and a Dutch team. communities, working with young visit schools to invite refugee in an FA project called “Voetbal people, the disaffected and other families to join the club to help the heeft meer dan twee doelen” marginalised groups. young people integrate into local (Football has more than two goals), The ‘community capital’ that clubs society more easily, make friends through which clubs organise can bring to effect social change and learn the Norwegian language. intercultural activities stressing that in their environments is significant. Parents are also included in the football is for all, irrespective of process to assist integration into religion, colour or sex. local society. UAR_Tackling_Racism_9.08.2006.qxd 1/11/06 09:02 Page 31 racism 31 racism racism 30 racism against against unite unite
8.a 8.b Ethnic minorities Increasing opportunities as fans for ethnic minorities
One of the most striking aspects Many minorities have a secondary In commercial terms, ethnic The last decade has seen a The opportunities on offer at clubs In effect, club chairmen are of football in Europe is the involvement with the game, minorities have a growing growth in club football. Television should be open in all areas of overlooking candidates from discrepancy between the high watching games on TV at home economic influence. No and multimedia deals, the strength operation, including administration, a minority background when number of black players on the rather than attending live matches. commercially attuned professional of the UEFA Cup and UEFA stewarding, employment, appointing coaches. It is an area field of play and the lack of black Efforts to attract these supporters club can ignore the potential Champions League and identification of young players that is rarely looked at but is or ethnic minority faces in to stadiums are an important part benefits of extra gate receipts or international competitions have and employment of coaching staff. crucial when considering issues the crowd. of campaigns to eradicate racism. revenue from sales of merchandise given most European leagues a of fair representation. and refreshments to new fans. higher profile and more cash to In administration and other spend than ever before. To meet non-playing areas, equality in In England, the “Racial Equality the demands of this new employment can be achieved by Standard for Professional Football commercial era, many professional operating fair practices and Clubs” has encouraged many clubs have grown into multi- effective equal opportunities clubs to work towards a series of faceted operations performing a policies. measures to ensure equality wide range of activities. policies are implemented in all In playing areas too, all those areas of their operation, from These developments provide who have an interest in the game stewarding to the recruitment of new opportunities but also increase should be given meaningful young players. the clubs’ obligations – moral and opportunities to play at the highest legal. Many clubs will be employers levels of the game. And despite The standard has been developed and will need to recognise the the fact that many players within by Kick It Out with the support importance of opening up the top European leagues are of the FA Premier League to employment opportunities to all black, opportunities are not being move clubs forward in their sections of the community – made available to coaches from understanding of the issues. including ethnic minorities, women those communities. and the disabled. The document divides the areas of activity into three sections and grades achievement into three levels – preliminary, intermediate and advanced. All Premier League clubs are currently working to meet the first level of the standard, with many moving onto the intermediate level. UAR_Tackling_Racism_9.08.2006.qxd 1/11/06 09:03 Page 33 racism 33 racism racism 32 racism against against unite unite
9. Using the media
Football generates enormous The mainstream media have In Romania, for instance, the popular magazine Pro Sport and the TV amounts of broadcast and print covered numerous anti-racist channel Pro TV joined the FARE action in April 2002 and printed 15,000 coverage. Campaigners have actions by fans and other groups, posters where high-profile players from the Bucharest teams FC Steaua, found that the media can play an particularly when this has related FC Dinamo and FC Rapid wore FARE T-shirts. During the live broadcast crucial role in highlighting both to specific events such as an of the Rapid v FC Universitatea Craiova match, Pro Sport explained the the problems of racist activity anti-racism action day at a club, background to the action. and the solutions. or the player-led launch of a publication, video or exhibition. Since October 2003, the leading sport newspapers A Bola, Record and The most successful campaigns O Jogo have joined the Portuguese players’ union to mark their annual have been able to create a Many clubs already produce their week against racism. On the same day, the newspapers publish anti- dynamic in which the media play own media – magazines, fanzines, racism statements by players and carry symbolic photographs of black an active role in changing attitudes newsletters and posters. Official and white star players. In 2005, the radio station Antena 3 ran a contest and expecting action and websites are consulted by fans to support the campaign. Listeners had to present creative slogans commitment from football across the world and should be against racism in football and were offered tickets for anti-racism matches authorities. used wherever possible to in the Portuguese league. underline the story. Clubs should use their extensive In England and Wales, coaches wear an anti-racism badge throughout media contacts to gain coverage Often the mainstream media will the week of action – pitch-side during games, and for media previews to get the message understood be willing supporters of initiatives and post-match interviews. and to publicise their work. to tackle racism and will give coverage to your activities. UAR_Tackling_Racism_9.08.2006.qxd 1/11/06 09:03 Page 35 racism 35 racism racism 34 racism 10. against against The partnership between unite unite UEFA and FARE UEFA’s ten-point plan
European football’s governing body In 2002 UEFA issued a ten-point The network is active in over 32 1 Issue a statement saying that racism or any 6 Contact other associations or clubs to make has forged a close relationship with action plan (right) that sets out countries and has pledged, other kind of discrimination will not be sure they understand the association’s or the Football Against Racism in many of the basic areas of anti- through coordinated action and tolerated, spelling out the action that will be club’s policy on racism. Europe (FARE) network as its racism action in football. common effort, to bring together taken against those who engage in racist anti-discrimination partner. all those interested in combating chanting. The statement should be printed 7 Encourage a common strategy between in all match programmes and displayed stewards and police for dealing with The FARE network consists of discrimination in football. permanently and prominently around the racist abuse. UEFA has given considerable representatives from across the ground. financial support to FARE in football family, including fan Further information is available Remove all racist graffiti from the ground recent years, and both bodies groups, NGOs, national from www.farenet.org 8 Make public address announcements as a matter of urgency. have cooperated in staging associations and player unions. 2 condemning racist chanting at matches. events, issuing publications, and FARE believes that football 9 Adopt an equal opportunities' policy in using the massive public and belongs to us all and that it 3 Make it a condition for season ticket holders relation to employment and service provision. commercial platform of Europe's should be the right of every that they do not take part in racist abuse. biggest football matches to press person to play, watch and discuss 10 Work with all other groups and agencies, home the message that racism freely, without fear of racism 4 Take action to prevent the sale of racist such as the players’ union, supporters, must be challenged in all areas. or discrimination. literature inside and around the ground. schools, voluntary organisations, youth clubs, sponsors, local authorities, local businesses 5 Take disciplinary action against players who and the police, to develop proactive engage in racial abuse. programmes and make progress to raise awareness of campaigning to eliminate racial abuse and discrimination.