ZERO Discrimination Day
Organizations actively promote this day with various activities to celebrate everyone’s right to live a full life with dignity regardless of age, gender, sexuality, nationality, ethnicity, skin color, height, weight, profession, education, and beliefs. Many countries have laws against discrimination but it’s still a problem in all layers of society in every country in the world. Many countries have and still use discrimination as a way of governing.
Discrimination in football
”While football does not generate discriminatory behaviour, it often replicates the very same social issues that concern any given society. Evidently, football has witnessed an alarming increase in the number of disturbing incidents on the grounds of racism, ethnocentrism, sectarianism, homophobia, and sexism. Given the variety of forms that discrimination can take, it is imperative that football addresses with effect all such anti-social phenomena in order to continue to promote notions pertaining to social inclusion, equality, and cultural diversity – all central to the game’s philosophy and overall popularity. Assessing the nature and causes of discrimination in football is key to identifying the much-needed remedies, but also because discrimination poses a serious challenge to long-established practices deeply rooted in democracy. Discrimination in Football provides a comprehensive and in-depth investigation into these key issues affecting football today.” (Discrimination in Football, Christos Kassimeris)
Here are some recent news headlines to show the actualety of this topic.
”JÜRGEN KLOPP MEETS WITH LIVERPOOL’S LGBTQ+ FAN GROUP FOUNDER TO DISCUSS HOMOPHOBIC CHANTS”
”AC SPARTA PRAHA APOLOGISES FOR RACIST INCIDENT AGAINST AS MONACO”
”CAGLIARI CALCIO FIGHT DISCRIMINATION”
”MAN ARRESTED FOR ONLINE RACIST ABUSE AGAINST ENGLISH FOOTBALLERS’
EFDN and members
We as EFDN also do the best we can to sustain and further develop our projects regarding discrimination. Our Show Racism The Red Card project is an example of this. Show Racism the Red Card (SRtRC) is an anti-racism and anti-discrimination programme. SRtRC is based on the proven concept of the Red Card Campaign delivered in several European countries, which originated in the United Kingdom. Show Racism the Red Card utilises the social power of football and the high-profile status of football players to help tackle racism and other forms of discrimination in society. The project aims to raise awareness on diversity, foster social cohesion, and reduce physical and verbal violence linked to racism.
Members of the European Football for Development Network are also working on projects regarding to racism and discrimination.
Everton In The Community
With Everton In The Community’s new inclusive football sessions – delivered to participants from across the charity’s youth engagement programmes together with Everton Free School and Everton in the Community staff –they offer a safe space for people aged 16+ who identify as LGBT+ or as an ally of the community.
Alongside the opportunity to enjoy mixed ability, non-gender specific football sessions, the initiative also provides tailored support to participants, with Everton in the Community staff having undertaken LGBT+ specific training.
BSC Young Boys
Since 2001, BSC Young Boys takes part in the FARE Action Weeks and sends out a statement against Racism, Violence and Discrimination in sports and in society. One main project during those weeks is a yearly auction of original match-worn shirts. All proceeds are handed over to organisations that tackle discrimination in football and society. Thanks to the generosity of Young Boys supporters, who share the club’s mindset regarding racism and discrimination, a substantial amount of money is sent to those organisations. The club and its players spread the word against racism and discrimination with communication campaigns across all channels.
PSV
PSV’s players come from several countries and a variety of ethnic backgrounds. Players with different skin colours, religious beliefs and cultural values play football together in pursuit of a common goal: to win the championship title as a team while respecting each other’s backgrounds. PSV’s players are the perfect example of a multicultural society.
Not just the players in the first team, but also those playing for Young PSV and PSV Women, the club’s organisation and our supporters all have totally different backgrounds. PSV is therefore strongly against any and all forms of racism and does everything it can to eliminate discrimination from European football.
During the action week, the children who walk onto the field with the players wear shirts made by the FARE and Geef Racisme De Rode Kaart foundations, which helps draw the public’s attention to the issue of discrimination. PSV also hosted such activities as a football tournament in a refugee centre in Eindhoven, during which children staying in that refugee centre competed against students of a local elementary school in Eindhoven. All this is done to improve the acceptance of people with a different background and to give racism a red card.
Show Racism the Red Card
