Football against racism week kicks off[fr][de] 

The European Action Week against Racism and Discrimination in Football, the FARE action week , will take place on 17-30 October 2006. The week, organised already for the seventh time by the Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE ) network, will see more than a thousand activities take place in 37 European countries. 

The wide range of initiatives and activities are aimed at addressing "local problems within their club or community, while also joining groups across the continent to present a unified stand against racism in the game". The emphasis this year is on greater participation of ethnic minorities and migrants, inclusion of women and girls in football and action against homophobia in the game. 

"The FARE Action Week is a statement as to the type of sport we all want to be involved with. The importance of an inclusive and discrimination-free game that actively reaches out to all communities is our goal," explained Piara Powar for FARE. 

FARE also organised a range of anti-racist activities at the FIFA World Cup 2006 in Germany, and the UEFA Champions League with its top football stars will help to spread the message during the FARE action week. "We know that racism can't be beaten in a single week, but we hope these activities will be a catalyst that engages more and more members of the football family in the fight against racism and discrimination," said the UEFA president Lennart Johansson.

The European Parliament adopted, in March 2006, a written declaration condemning all forms of racism linked to football, both on and off the field.