EUROPEAN FOOTBALL MEETS ON RACISM AT NOU CAMP(Spain)
24/1/2006- The 2nd 'Unite Against Racism' conference in European Football, supported and promoted by UEFA, Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) and the RFEF is to take place at the Nou Camp in Barcelona, Spain on Wednesday 1st February 2006, with FC Barcelona acting as hosts. The conference participants include delegates from all of UEFA's 52 member associations, star players, representatives of European clubs, members of FARE's network of organisations, and senior Spanish and European representatives of political institutions. The full conference agenda and main speakers will be published in full nearer the time, but those invited to speak at the conference include; Lars-Christer Olsson, UEFA CEO; Daniela Conti, FARE; Paul Elliott MBE, Special Advisor to the Commission for Racial Equality; representatives from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, the European Commission, the European Parliament, the Spanish Government, and the Generalitat de Catalunya; Charlie Brooks from 'Stand Up Speak Up' campaign and Anthony Baffoe, former Ghana international.
In his welcome notes to the conference, UEFA President Lennart Johansson says:
'Racism is unquestionably one of the most abject forms of disrespect towards fellow human beings. It has no place in our society and even less so in team sports like football, where all members of the team are as equally important when it comes to achieving the desired result.' 'UEFA has decided to do everything within its power to rid football of this scourge and appreciates the assistance of similarly minded organisations such as FARE, with which it has already worked for several years.'
Kick It Out Director and a spokesman for the FARE network, Piara Powar, added:
'The conference is an important opportunity for us all to map out the quickest route to a game free of racism and discrimination.' 'We are particularly pleased with our relationship with UEFA, which has taken on the role of a proactive governing body. But at national level some administrators in the game are in denial, or do not understand what action to take. One of our aims is to bridge this gap in understanding.'
The 2nd 'Unite Against Racism' conference follows the successful inaugural conference held at Stamford Bridge home of Chelsea FC - in spring 2003.
Football Against Racism in Europe http://www.farenet.org/