Football Against Racism in Europe
Encyclopedia
Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) is a network set up to counter "racism and xenophobia" in European Football
. The network was set up in Vienna
, Austria
, in February 1999 after a meeting of football supporters' groups, football players' unions and football associations. FARE aims to counter racism and discrimination in football grounds, amongst supporters and amongst the general community. The network has received backing from the European governing body UEFA
, FIFA
and the European Commission
for its aims. FARE have recently reached the spotlight due to their involvement in a UEFA investigation of chanting by Rangers fans.
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
. The network was set up in Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
, Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
, in February 1999 after a meeting of football supporters' groups, football players' unions and football associations. FARE aims to counter racism and discrimination in football grounds, amongst supporters and amongst the general community. The network has received backing from the European governing body UEFA
UEFA
The Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer....
, FIFA
FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
and the European Commission
European Commission
The European Commission is the executive body of the European Union. The body is responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding the Union's treaties and the general day-to-day running of the Union....
for its aims. FARE have recently reached the spotlight due to their involvement in a UEFA investigation of chanting by Rangers fans.
Network's history
- 1997: As a part of the European Year against Racism various football related projects are sponsored by the European CommissionEuropean CommissionThe European Commission is the executive body of the European Union. The body is responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding the Union's treaties and the general day-to-day running of the Union....
- February 1999: Establishment of the FARE network and passing of a FARE plan of action in ViennaViennaVienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
- June 2000: Official launch of the FARE network at the European parliament in BrusselsBrusselsBrussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union...
, just before Euro 2000 started - April 2001: Over 50 actions are led in 9 European countries during the first FARE action week against racism and discriminations
- July 2001: FARE representatives take part in a FIFAFIFAThe Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
conference against racism in Buenos AiresBuenos AiresBuenos Aires is the capital and largest city of Argentina, and the second-largest metropolitan area in South America, after São Paulo. It is located on the western shore of the estuary of the Río de la Plata, on the southeastern coast of the South American continent... - August 2001: UEFAUEFAThe Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer....
rewards their MonacoMonacoMonaco , officially the Principality of Monaco , is a sovereign city state on the French Riviera. It is bordered on three sides by its neighbour, France, and its centre is about from Italy. Its area is with a population of 35,986 as of 2011 and is the most densely populated country in the...
charity cheque of one million Swiss francs to FARE. FARE becomes a member of the UEFA football and social responsibility portfolio - September 2002: Start of a two-year anti-discrimination project co-funded by the European Commission
- October 2002: UEFA gets behind the FARE ten-point plan of action
- November 2002: FARE revives the Free Your Mind award at the MTV music awardsMTV Europe Music AwardsThe MTV Europe Music Awards were established in 1994 by MTV Networks Europe to celebrate the most popular music videos in Europe. Originally beginning as an alternative to the American MTV Video Music Awards, the MTV Europe Music Awards is today a popular celebration of what MTV viewers consider...
in BarcelonaBarcelonaBarcelona is the second largest city in Spain after Madrid, and the capital of Catalonia, with a population of 1,621,537 within its administrative limits on a land area of... - March 2003: The Unite Against Racism conference hosted by Chelsea FCChelsea F.C.Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
is jointly organized by UEFA, FARE and the FAThe Football AssociationThe Football Association, also known as simply The FA, is the governing body of football in England, and the Crown Dependencies of Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man. It was formed in 1863, and is the oldest national football association... - October 2003: Some 400 initiatives in 24 countries take place during the 4th Action Week. FARE receives Jean Kahn award from the EUMC.
- June 2004: FARE launches a Football Unites programme at UEFA Euro 2004 in PortugalPortugalPortugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
- April 2005: FARE networking conference takes place in BratislavaBratislavaBratislava is the capital of Slovakia and, with a population of about 431,000, also the country's largest city. Bratislava is in southwestern Slovakia on both banks of the Danube River. Bordering Austria and Hungary, it is the only national capital that borders two independent countries.Bratislava...
- November 2005: FARE takes part in a public hearing at the European Parliament in Brussels
- January 2006: FIFA and FARE establish a strategic alliance in the field of anti-discrimination. FARE program in Eastern Europeis funded by the Stand Up Speak UpStand Up Speak UpStand Up Speak Up is a Europe-wide campaign that was launched in January 2005 by the French Football player Thierry Henry following an increase in reports of racist incidents in football across Europe...
campaign - February 2006: The second Unite Against Racism conference jointly organized by UEFA, FARE and the Spanish FA is hosted by FC BarcelonaFC BarcelonaFutbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
- March 2006: European declaration on tackling racism in football becomes a formal resolution at the European Parliament in StrasbourgStrasbourgStrasbourg is the capital and principal city of the Alsace region in eastern France and is the official seat of the European Parliament. Located close to the border with Germany, it is the capital of the Bas-Rhin département. The city and the region of Alsace are historically German-speaking,...
. - June 2006: FARE runs an anti-discriminations program at FIFA World Cup 2006 in GermanyGermanyGermany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
- October 2006: With more than 700 initiatives in 37 European countries, and including the involvement of all 32 Champions LeagueUEFA Champions LeagueThe UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
teams, the seventh FARE action week becomes Europe's biggest anti-racism campaign in football so far - May 2007: FARE networking conference on ethnic minorities and equality, is hosted by the French Football FederationFrench Football FederationThe French Football Federation is the governing body of association football in France, as well as the overseas departments and territories . It was formed in 1919 and is based in the capital Paris...
, LICRA and PSG in ParisParisParis is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
Campaigning and events
- The Mondiali Antirazzisti is a unique tournament in Italy that brings supporters groups, migrants and local communitities together to celebrate diversity and popular fan culture. This vivrant anti-racist football festival with 204 five-a-side teams is held every July near Bologna.
- Stand Up Speak UpStand Up Speak UpStand Up Speak Up is a Europe-wide campaign that was launched in January 2005 by the French Football player Thierry Henry following an increase in reports of racist incidents in football across Europe...
: some of the income generated from the sale of the wristbands is going to FARE to run a series of activities in central and eastern Europe. The FARE programme seeks to tackle the exclusion of Roma communities in Slovakia and to undertake monitoring and campaigning activities to counter the presence of neo-nazi groups at football grounds in Poland. In the Balkans the key aim is to challenge prevailing ideas of nationalism and xenophobia through working with football clubs and youth teams. - Building on the success in Portugal in 2004, the FARE network is preparing a programme of anti-racism activities at UEFA Euro 2008 in Austria and Switzerland. The aim is to promote and convey the positive message of anti-racism and fighting discrimination in and outside the stadiums. FARE intend to engage fans and local communities through Street-kick tournaments, supporter gatherings and distribution of fanzine.
See also
- Racism Breaks the GameRacism Breaks the GameRacism Breaks the Game was a three-day campaign in Romania designed to combat racism in association football, particularly against the Romani minority, as well as to "stimulate social dialogue and promote tolerance and fair-play through football"...
, an anti-racism campaign organised in Romania in 2006 - Racism in football
- Racism in sportRacism in sportRacism in sports is a problem which is manifest around the world. It has led to a wide range of controversial incidents which have been reported in the media....