A week-long series of events aiming to raise awareness of the ongoing problem of racism in football has kicked off across Europe.
The Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) project, the biggest anti-racism initiative of its kind ever undertaken in the sport, got under way on 17 October and will run until the end of the month.
This year marks the eighth successive season of the FARE project, which will see events in football arenas in 38 different countries, including Ireland. In total, more than 2,000 events are scheduled to take place during the action week.
As well as awareness-raising exercises in the main European stadia, Uefa and FARE are linking up with fan groups, football clubs, national associations, community migrant organisations and schools to provide financial assistance for 120 local activities such as grassroots-level anti-racism matches.
A spokesperson for the event said was part of soccer’s ongoing fight to rid itself of racist sentiment and to help stifle bigotry beyond the game.
The spokesperson said: “The aim is to promote and convey the positive message of fighting discrimination in and outside the stadiums.”
Garrett Mullen, spokesperson for the Irish branch of Show Racism the Red Card, said organisers here are seeking to broaden the remit of the project. “The aim in some countries is to make a stand against racism, while in Ireland it is to take a stand against racism and is an opportunity to promote interaction between nationalities living in Ireland,” he said.
Last Tuesday, players from Bohemians and UCD marked the action week by holding up Show Racism the Red Card posters at the start of the game, and both captains wore FARE armbands to show their support.
