France's Marcel Desailly has spoken out about racism (©empics)
UEFA issues anti-racism guide
Friday, 18 July 2003
The campaign to rid football of the evil of racism has taken another crucial
step forward with the issuing of the UEFA Guide to Good Practice, aimed
at helping the football community tackle this disturbing phenomenon.
Concerted drive
The comprehensive and informative guide has been put together by European
football's governing body and the pan-European Football Against Racism
in Europe (FARE) network, who have been working together in a concerted
drive to get rid of the racists in arguably the world's most popular sport.
Widespread distribution
UEFA's good practice guide is being circulated to all of Europe's national
associations, leagues and clubs, as well as to UEFA's list of referees,
match delegates and venue directors. It is one of the practical results
that emerged from the Unite Against Racism conference staged by UEFA,
FARE and the English Football Association at Stamford Bridge, London in
March.
UEFA fund
In addition, UEFA has sent an accompanying circular letter to the European
football family, explaining the €1,7m fund that UEFA has created
to support national campaigns against racism organised via UEFA's member
associations.
Significant record
"It stands as a significant record of the achievements of many in
campaigning to tackle racism," UEFA and FARE state of the guide.
"Our ultimate hope is that by sharing examples of 'good practice',
such practice will spread and that new approaches and initiatives will
be generated, adding to the growing momentum of the campaign against racism."
Work and initiatives
A key aim of the guide is to gather examples of the anti-racism work and
initiatives being carried out within and outside of football - by fans,
clubs, players, migrant and ethic minority organisations - not only as
a reaction against racist incidents, but also to educate people and build
respect.
Varied and interesting
The guide is varied and interesting in content. The term 'racism' is defined
in detail, and examples of racist behaviour in football are highlighted.
Coverage is devoted to action plans and charters produced and published
throughout Europe, including the ten-point action plan issued by UEFA
and FARE last autumn as a forerunner to the guide.
Good practice principles
In a set of principles of good practice included in the guide, UEFA and
FARE recommend the adoption of national action plans, with regular monitoring
of results, as well as the use of appropriate public-friendly branding
names for national campaigns, and the setting-up of partnerships between
fans, players, police, stewards and NGOs.
Fan culture
The anti-racism message should also be instilled through fan culture,
with the accent on showing respect for the cultures and traditions of
fans everywhere. High-profile players should be used to help underline
anti-racist messages, and ethnic minorities and migrants should be encouraged
to participate in football at all levels without fear of discrimination
or abuse.
Reaching the young
Anti-racist messages, UEFA and FARE insist, must reach young people through
schools, youth clubs and children's publications, and football's campaign
should be joined to wider campaigns against racism and xenophobia, both
in other sports and in society in general. Active campaigning in the media
should be reinforced. The principles conclude with a general call for
action to be taken against perpetrators of racist acts at every level
of the game - "so that those involved know it will not be tolerated".
Aigner concern
"Racism is an evil. I can find no other way to describe it,"
wrote UEFA Chief Executive Gerhard Aigner in the guide. "It is a
problem stimulated outside of football, but one which is too often given
expression and public focus through our game. It must be eradicated."
UEFA determination
"For our part, UEFA is not willing to accept any incidents of racism,
or broader expressions of racial prejudice or exclusion, without challenge,"
he added.