UEFA joins forces with FARE for Euro 2012 anti-discrimination campaign

By Andrew Warshaw

June 1 – The anti-discrimination group, Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE), has linked up with UEFA to monitor obscene chanting and other racist activities at the 2012 European Championship in Poland and Ukraine.

The joint campaign is being officially launched in Warsaw on the opening day of the tournament on June 8 amid increasing concerns over racism sparked by a hard-hitting BBC television documentary this week.

The project will include anti-discrimination messages at every game and a commitment to take disciplinary measures.

At least two international monitors will be operating at every one of the 31 games and a hotline set up for fans to report racist behaviour or racist symbols like Nazi salutes.

Rafal Pankowski, of the Warsaw-based ‘Never Again’ Association and coordinator of the FARE programme, said: “This is the first major football event to be held in Eastern Europe in the modern era and it is one that we have been anticipating for a long time.

“We have well documented issues with discrimination in football but I am also confident of the strong messages that will be sent out, and the contingencies we have to deal with problems.

“There is also no doubt that the majority of the people of our countries will do their best to welcome visitors regardless of their background or nationality.

“Our biggest achievement has been to start a dialogue and to raise difficult issues, a process that will contribute to the social development of both our countries.

“We have a close working relationship with UEFA and are proud to be implementing partners of the Respect Diversity – Football Unites campaign.”

Contact the writer of this story at zib.l1735878799labto1735878799ofdlr1735878799owedi1735878799sni@w1735878799ahsra1735878799w.wer1735878799dna1735878799