Strasbourg, 16/03/2006 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday, following the initiative of Emine Bozkurt (PES, NL), Claude Moraes (PES, UK), Christopher Heaton-Harris (EPP-ED, UK), Cem Özdemir (Greens, Germany) and Alexander Nuño Alvaro (ALDE, Germany), a large majority of the European Parliament adopted a resolution on combating racism in football, condemning any form of xenophobia both on the field and off. After the recent racist incidents during matches in Europe, MEPs recall that one of the objectives of the European Union spelled out in the Treaty concerns protection against discrimination based on ethnic origin or nationality. “Like other workers, football players are entitled to be able to work in an environment without racism”, MEPs stress, alluding to European Court of Justice case law. They also welcome the “excellent work” accomplished by the UEFA and the FARE (Football Against Racism) network, and invite all those that are well-known in the football world to speak out against racism, as did Manchester United defender, Rio Ferdinand, who gave his support to the initiative. MEPs call on sporting organisations and federations but also on supporter groups to implement UEFA best practice and to interrupt matches in the event of serious racist misdemeanour. According to MEPs, sanctions should be foreseen for national federations and clubs whose supporters or players commit such acts, including the possibility of excluding repeat offenders from tournaments.
During a press conference on Tuesday evening, Emine Bozkurt noted that this text had received 423 signatures, the highest number ever notched up during this kind of initiative. It is now an official Parliament resolution and it “is now up to the football sector to run with the ball”, she said. Racism in sport is a “crime witnessed by millions”, the Dutch Social-Democrat went on to say, adding that the World Cup football tournament in Germany will be a “test”. She said she hoped this “first goal” would be scored. She handed a cup to President Borrell, who welcomed the MEPs' initiative. He said that, if they had the European Constitution, they would be able to do more, because it gives greater power to the EU in sport. He pointed out, however, that they can still work without the Constitution (he recalled especially that there is already an EU directive against racial discrimination). The Parliament's declaration is not simply a statement of values, but also suggests concrete measures, Josep Borrell said. UEFA Communications Director William Gaillard felt that football can make a positive contribution to the EU, and recalled that UEFA had banned a major Romanian club, Steaua Bucharest, from playing in its own stadium because of its anti-Semite and anti-Roma proclamations, and that just a few days ago, the Romanian parliament had adopted a law against racism. Former soccer champion Paul Elliott of Chelsea considered adoption of the text an “historic” event, and urged for “zero tolerance” when it comes to racist crimes. Racism, he said, is the most serious problem facing football today.