[FARE] Start of the FARE Action week (17 - 30 October 2007)

[Kurt Wachter]

FARE Media Release, 16 October 2007 

 

 

Start of the FARE Action week (17 - 30 October 2007)

 

Several EURO qualifying matches are opening this year's FARE Action
Week, which starts on the 17 October - a highlight in the fight against
racism eight months before the kick-off of the UEFA EURO 2008(tm) in
Austria and Switzerland. 

 

At the match Bosnia-Herzegovina against Norway, players will present a
banner saying "No to Racism, stop Nationalism". In Malta children will
wear t-shirts with an anti-racist message and also players of the Malta
and Moldova teams are involved in the action by showing a red card to
racism in the line-up. At the match Ireland against Cyprus team captains
will wear "Unite Against Racism" - armbands and kids will bring a huge
anti-racist banner onto the pitch. Similar activities will take place in
Kiev where a banner with an anti-racism message will be displayed in
front of the players of Ukraine and Faroe Islands. 

Further activities are taking place at the Netherlands-Slovenia and
Germany-Czech Republic qualifiers. 

 

In addition to the EURO qualifying matches, at the friendly match
between Austria and Cote d'Ivoire in Innsbruck activities will mark the
start of the FARE Action Week. Fans in the stadium will show
choreographies whilst the team captains Ivanschitz and Drogba read
statements against racism on the pitch. Kids are wearing t-shirts with
the slogan "One Ball - One World" and official announcements about the
FARE Action Week are made over the tannoy. In addition fans will see a
performance of the Ayakata Dance Group. 

 

 

FARE Action Week against racism and discrimination in European football 

 

The FARE Action Week is the focus of European football's symbolic stand
against racism and discrimination. 

 

Every corner of the continent is touched by the message. From the big
footballing nations in the West, across the vibrant fan cultures of the
South, to the old powerhouses of Eastern and Central Europe. 

 

Activities are designed to raise awareness of the issue and underline
football's determination to tackle the problem. Initiatives are led by
campaigning NGOs, fan groups, clubs, national associations, ethnic
minorities, youth groups and schools.

 

In all, more than 2,000 activities will take place in 37 European
countries.

 

For further details on the FARE Action Week and a list of activities,
refer to www.farenet.org. Information is available in English, German,
Italian and French.

 

 

The FARE network 

 

The Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) network was formed in 1999
by fan groups and NGOs concerned at the rising tide of racism and
far-right groups in European football.

 

Key activities include the Mondiali Antirazzisti (Anti-Racism World Cup)
in Italy every July, grassroots activities by fans and ethnic minority
and migrant associations, and lobbying for change by those running the
game.

 

 

FARE and UEFA

 

Building on the success in Portugal 2004 UEFA and the network FARE are
preparing an anti-racism programme of activities at EURO 2008(tm). 

 

The aim is to promote and convey the positive message of fighting
discrimination in and outside the stadiums. FARE intends to engage fans,
local populations and ethnic minorities through Streetkick tournaments,
supporter gatherings and the distribution of fanzines. 

 

In association with the FSI network FARE is also planning an extensive
fan-hosting program. 

 

Martin Kallen, EURO 2008 SA chief operating officer: 

"With the Unite Against Racism and the Fan Embassies project we want to
make sure fans feel welcome, with violence and racism emerging neither
inside or outside the stadia."

 

 

For further information:

 

www.FAREnet.org.

 

List of European Activities 

http://farenet.org/actionweek_events.asp

 

FARE Action Week Poster

http://farenet.org/resources/Poster_07_screen.pdfoff Action

 

Visit also the web-sites of key FARE groups for detailed information:

 

www.ProgettoUltra.it (Itlay)

www.KickitOut.org (England)

www.theredcard.org (Scotland) 

www.demballegal.de (Germany)

www.FairPlay.or.at (Austria)