anti-racism+in+soccer

= = = = toc = = =Anti-Racism Measures in Soccer=



As decided by FIFA's Executive Committee, all 64 matches of the 2006 FIFA World Cup were marked by a visible element sending a clear message against racism to the world. Additionally to the anti-racist mini TV-spot that was provided to Infront Sports & Media for distribution among the FIFA World Cup broadcasters, a centre-circle round banner was used as recurrent element for all matches and in all stadiums. A round banner covering the entire centre circle in every stadium, was displayed from stadium's opening until the end of the official pre-match protocol, including teams line-ups and anthems. A combination of the FIFA World Cup emblem, the tournament's slogan "A time to make friends" and the anti-racist message "Say no to racism".

**FIFA Anti-Discrimination Days**
Although rejection of any form of discrimination should apply all year round, the FIFA Anti-Discrimination Day gives the football family the opportunity to join together and amplify its voice in condemning this blight on society all around the world. FIFA and the Local Organising Committee dedicated all four quarter-finals of the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany on 30 June and 1 July to the fight against racism and run a special activity on the pitch. At those matches and before kick-off, both team captains read a declaration condemning and rejecting discrimination in football and society and firmly saying "no to racism". Both teams and the match officials also posed jointly with a banner displaying the unequivocal "Say No to Racism" message as part of the official pre-match protocol.

**Media Conference on 28 June**
On 28 June 2006, FIFA organised a media conference at the SMC in Berlin to launch the FIFA Anti-Discrimination Days and show support - through football personalities and world leaders - to the fight against racism. The conference - moderated by FIFA's Director of Communications, Markus Siegler - was attended by FIFA President, Joseph S. Blatter; LOC President, Franz Beckenbauer; UNICEF Executive Director, Ann Veneman; German Minister of Interior, Dr Wolfgang Schäuble; FIFPro President, Philippe Piat, and South African human rights activist, Tokyo Sexwale.

**Racism monitoring in the stadiums**
A racism monitoring system was in place at all 12 stadiums of the 2006 FIFA World Cup. The Local Organising Committee counted with the support of security officers knowledgeable in the languages of all 32 teams, who have been trained so as to identify possible messages of racist, political or in general discriminatory nature. They helped neutralise abuses, which sometimes occured in understated ways and would pass undiscovered if not scrutinized by the eyes of an expert.

**" //Fussball verbindet// - Football unites" project**
The aim of the " //Fussball verbindet// - Football unites" project was to contribute to a positive and inclusive atmosphere during the 2006 FIFA World Cup. It aimed at people of all origins, religions, nationalities and skin colours, who along with fans and associations run activities against racism and related discriminations in football. These activities were coordinated by the FARE (Football Against Racism in Europe) network. The aim of the network is to point up xenophobia and the exclusion of minorities in football and to counter these problems in a pro‑active way. At present more than 200 supporter groups, anti-racism football projects, migrant organisations, clubs and players unions in 33 countries are active in FARE.

**Anti-racist content at Fans' Embassies**
The work of the fans' embassies at the various World Cup host cities was supported by activities having for objective:
 * To promote violence prevention by supporting the national and international fans embassies
 * To create opportunities for football fans from all over the world to meet young Germans and migrants living in Germany
 * To raise awareness for the problems of migrants and their descendants living in Germany in connection with racism and discrimination in football
 * To foster the social integration of migrants and ethnic minorities at the 2006 FIFA World Cup; football can be used to bring together football fans of different origin
 * To increase the number of migrants and ethnic minorities attending football matches, playing for local clubs or becoming involved in supporters clubs
 * To disseminate knowledge on far-right symbolism and other manifestations around the stadiums
 * To provide tips on how to deal with any extreme-right football fans, neo-Nazis and their sympathisers from all participating countries
 * To present football as a role model in the fight against discrimination (reference to current and former players such as Thierry Henry, Hamit Altintop, Gerald Asamoah, Anthony Baffoe, Patrick Ovomoyela, etc.)

**Anti-racism training for stewards and volunteers**
In association with the LOC and KOS (German Fan Projects Co-ordination Centre), stewards and volunteers have been given training with regard to racism, right-wing extremism and discrimination. The aim was to raise the awareness of stewards and volunteers and train them to become multipliers of anti-racist behaviour. FARE have prepared a "fundamentals paper" that not only explained the codes, symbols and chants commonly used by neo-Nazi and far-right groups, but also offered specific behavioural tips.

**"Football unites - street football for everyone"**
Building on the experience gained at Euro 2004 in Portugal, football matches on portable mini-pitches (Streetkick) for German and foreign youth and football fans were organised during the 2006 FIFA World Cup. These activities proved particularly effective when staged in the immediately vicinity of the fans embassies. All measures were coordinated with KOS and the LOC and in partnership with the fans embassies on the ground. The measures were designed to support and complement the work of the national and international fans' embassies. The Streetkick activities were also accompanied by an intercultural programme of information (FARE fanzine, information stands, exhibition on the //Mondiali Antirazzisti//, etc.). Principal responsibility for organising and staging the activities lie with the ' //Dem Ball is' egal, wer ihn tritt'// project, who also draw on the expertise of FURD (Football Unites, Racism Devides) and the international FARE team to guarantee the internationality of the activity. There was no overlapping with other anti-racist street football projects, as the FARE Streetkick tour visited only those FIFA World Cup host cities that were not organising their own anti-racist Streetkick tournaments.

**Materials, publications, exhibitions**
FARE produced an anti-racism fanzine in connection with the 2006 FIFA World Cup. The publication (print run of approx. 35,000) were in English and German and contained statements by players as well as information on racism in football. It was distributed at the fans' embassies. In addition to the fanzine leaflets in other languages have been produced as fanzine inserts for particular matches. Three exhibitions accompanied the Streetkick events. Each contained information on racism in football, fans' activities in Germany, the Anti-Racism Action Week and the //Mondiali Antirazzisti//. Local groups - fan projects, fans and migrants - in the 12 host cities were also invited to design their own panel for their local event.

**Anti-Racism video messages**
Anti-racism video spots were aired at all FIFA World Cup stadiums as part of the Infotainment programme on the giant screens. Five second mini-spots were made available for free to all TV broadcasters of the 2006 FIFA World Cup for their integration in the programmes related to the event.

Anti-Racism Links

 * [|Talking Racism in Hitler's Stadium]
 * []
 * [|UN urges FIFA to promote anti-racism at 2010 World Cup]
 * [|Anti Racism in Canada]