June 23 – Football fans have been urged by UEFA boss Aleksander Čeferin (pictured) to play their part in driving racism out of the sport.
Following the sickening abuse received by players like Real Madrid’s Brazilian star Vinicius Junior, Ceferin has called on supporters to identify offenders.
“Let’s work together to put our house in order and ban from our stadiums (anyone) who comes not for love of football like you, but for the hatred for others,” he said during a speech at the European Football Fans’ Congress in Manchester.
Vinícius has been the target of sustained racist abuse whilst many other players and officials continue to be attacked on social media.
“Will you help us rid the game of people who hide in the crowd in order to pour out messages of hate because of a player’s skin colour or sexual orientation?” said Ceferin.
“We must shout, call out and rid ourselves of these idiots, who discredit both football and you the fans.”
Ceferin also addressed issues witnessed at this month’s Champions League final between Manchester City and Inter Milan where hundreds of fans were caught up in gridlocked traffic around the Atatürk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul, some having to walk miles to reach the stadium in severe heat.
“We are well aware that in Istanbul not everything was perfect. And I am certainly not playing down the problems encountered by some,” Čeferin said, adding that UEFA is working to improve matters.
“I’m thinking in particular transport links to and from the stadium, the hosting of the stadium supporters and access to water and toilets for everyone,” he said. “I can assure you that next year’s Champions League final at Wembley and Euro 2024 in Germany will be a unique experience for fans.”
He also apologised again for the chaotic security failures that caused a near-disaster at last year’s final in Paris between Liverpool and Real Madrid.
UEFA’s own commissioned independent review concluded European football’s governing body bore “primary responsibility” and it was “remarkable” there was no loss of life.
“I have come here to say sorry,” Ceferin said. “We would love to erase events that happened last year from our memories.
“Last year everyone welcomed our decision to move the finals from St. Petersburg to Paris and in the end we all know what happened. Good intentions are many times not enough and we know that and we are sorry for that.”
Ceferin also used his address to praise fans for protesting against the doomed European Super League in 2022, saying: “You were the captain and led the team in the match of our lives.”
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