EUROPEAN FOOTBALL SEASON 2013-14 REPORT Contents
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FARE OBSERVER SCHEME IN EUROPEAN FOOTBALL SEASON 2013-14 REPORT Contents 1. Introduction 2. Background to the Observer system 3. New sanctioning system by governing bodies 4. How the scheme operates 5. Who are the Fare observers? 6. Statistical overview 7. Impact of the scheme 8. Looking forward 2 Fare Observer Scheme in European football Season 2013-14 1 — Introduction The Fare network developed a wide-ranging observer scheme to monitor discriminatory incidents at international matches during the 2013/14 football season. The scheme looked at UEFA club competitions and FIFA World Cup 2014 qualification matches in Europe. Fifty international observers were recruited and trained to implement the programme. This report aims to help review and evaluate the observer scheme launched in July 2013. We hope the report can serve to set out the achievements of this approach and as a basis for discussions to refine and strengthen the system and identify emerging issues. 3 2—Background to the system Monitoring racism and discriminatory The observer scheme is designed to chanting, symbols, and other displays at perform two main functions: European football matches has been a key — Collect data for analysis on a European element of the Fare programme for many scale to understand the scope of the years. Fare believes that in order to tackle problem and help develop targeted issues of discrimination, it is important to solutions understand the extent of the problem in football and to communicate these issues to — Stimulate immediate reaction to all actors who have the scope to take action. discriminatory incidents by football disciplinary bodies Whilst monitoring of international level discriminatory incidents had been a largely We believe that highlighting incidents and non-formalised activity of network members, ensuring that strong regulatory action is taken a systematic approach was developed as can help raise awareness and encourage part of the Respect Diversity programme self-regulation amongst supporters. with UEFA at the 2012 UEFA European In the long term the data collected may be Championships in Poland and Ukraine. used to focus stakeholders’ attention on Against the backdrop of the economic crisis particular problems and stimulate a proactive in Europe, which has led to the emergence of debate and measures to tackle the problem intolerances of all kinds, and partly accounts on the part of international governing bodies, for what is thought to be the re-emergence national associations, clubs, supporters of far-right and neo-nazi hate groups in and NGOs. football, Fare has received a rising number of reports from within the network and external complainants. Given this background and a resolution adopted by the UEFA Congress in London in May 2013, ‘European football united against racism’, as well as a FIFA resolution ‘On the fight against racism and discrimination’ adopted in Mauritius in May 2013, there was a need to plan and implement a monitoring system for international competitions during the 2013/ 14 season. 4 3— New sanctioning system by governing bodies FIFA and UEFA adopted resolutions on the Any person involved in the game including fight against racism in May 2013 introducing players, coaches, officials, match officials stricter sanctions for the racist misconduct found guilty of engaging in racist abuse shall of players, fans and other participants of the be suspended for at least five matches, game. The resolutions were agreed on after according to the FIFA resolution. Similar a series of incidents in high-profile European provisions are foreseen in the UEFA resolution football matches. The new sanctioning with at least a ten-match suspension for framework for Control and Disciplinary bodies players or team officials. (CDB) envisages several stages of sanctions UEFA have also developed three-step for discriminatory misconduct along with guidelines for referees to take action if racist previously employed fines. incidents occur during the match. If a referee The UEFA resolution introduced a two-stage becomes aware of racist behaviour, approach to sanction clubs or national teams a match should first be stopped and a public whose supporters engage in discriminatory warning given. Second, the match should behaviour. For the first offence, the club or be suspended for a period of time. Third, national team should be sanctioned with a and after coordination with security officers, partial stadium closure concerning the section the match should be abandoned if the racist where the racist incident occurred. For a behaviour has not ceased. In such a case the second offence, a full stadium closure and a responsible team forfeits the tie. financial penalty are provisioned. Additionally, The respective resolutions also put emphasis the resolution suggests state authorities ban on educational and awareness programmes supporters found guilty of racist behaviour accompanying the application of disciplinary from attending football matches in future. sanctions. Action plans shall be developed by The FIFA resolution provisions a similar two- the competition organisers with the intention stage approach with an initial warning, a fine to fight all forms of discrimination among and/or the playing of a match behind closed players, officials and supporters. doors to be applied for the first or minor The resolutions and new sanctioning offence committed by supporters of a team. system shall be implemented by all member For reoffenders or for serious incidents, associations and introduced in their the sanctions catalogue includes point respective disciplinary regulations. deductions, expulsion from a competition or relegation. The Fare network has a third party reporting status with UEFA and FIFA, feeding reports about recorded discriminatory incidents into the respective disciplinary systems. 5 4— How the scheme operates The Fare observer scheme comprises five stages: — Assessment of matches for the probability of discriminatory incidents — Appointment of Fare match day observers — Pre-match day research and observation of the match — Reporting and providing evidence of discriminatory incidents witnessed to disciplinary bodies — Analysing results through data mapping Assessment — All forthcoming international Matches flagged up as Red are those fixtures in Europe are examined for the where there is a high probability of acts likelihood of discriminatory behaviour. Fare of discrimination and to which Fare sends sends observers to matches that are identified observers. as high-risk for potential incidents of racism, Observer appointment— One observer is extreme nationalism, xenophobia, appointed for each Red match except for anti-Semitism or homophobia. those where additional risk factors are in play The assessment is made on the basis of and require the deployment of two observers. previous reports received and an evaluation Research and observation— The observers into the nature of the fixture in its context. conduct research and draw on their own Fare collects information about clubs experience prior to their designated game. supporters from various sources, including They then attend the match and record social media and fan forums and draws on the incidents of discriminatory chanting, displays expertise of the Fare network across Europe. of far-right symbols and other examples of Although it is not possible to predict all overt discrimination. potential discriminatory actions in advance, Incident reports— After the match, the Fare tries to ensure the most thorough observer files a detailed match report to the analysis of the risk factors, such as known far- Fare secretariat enclosing photo or video right following of the clubs involved; political evidence material. The data presented in the and ethnic tensions between the countries report is checked to be objective and a true of the participating teams; and the history record of the incident witnessed by the Fare of club relationships. This analysis allows observer. The verified incident report is filed discriminatory incidents to be foreseen with with either FIFA or UEFA. a high level of probability. Analysis— Fare analyses the collected Risk assessment is reflected in a Yellow or data of discriminatory incidents to draw Red flag mechanism. Matches designated as conclusions as to patterns of occurrences Yellow are those where there can be seen the of particular forms of discrimination and potential for acts of discrimination and it may regional spread. therefore be necessary to conduct desktop monitoring. 6 What does Fare report? Fare reports all activities of discriminatory We also examine public broadcasting, print, nature: racist, homophobic and sexist online and social media coverage of matches incidents, abuse of disabled people and and, wherever appropriate, file separate far-right or extreme nationalist symbols or reports about discriminatory incidents during actions. While the Fare secretariat does not a match based on the media accounts. make judgments on the incidents reported, It is our policy to report all incidents that in the reports presented to the disciplinary we consider discriminatory. We are not bodies, it only includes incidents supported involved in the decision making process of by hard evidence. the disciplinary departments of governing Fare provides expert commentary explaining bodies who alone make a decision on which the meaning of the symbols displayed or incidents to prosecute, levels of sanctions, etc. actions witnessed with particular context of their