Zero tolerance policies on racial discrimination and racism have been adopted by FIFA and the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) underlined their representatives. There must be accountability for racist offences”, stressed Pillay. At the very least, they must ensure that any racist act is met with prompt and decisive action. “Events organizers should provide secure sporting grounds where acts of racism are clearly outlawed. We speak to parts of society and pierce the hearts of those people that political discussions will never reach”, declared Boateng.įootball administrators also have a leading role to play, panellists agreed. “People in sports, people like me and my team mates from AC Milan, people in the music business and people in the media have unique opportunities and therefore have a special responsibility. The role of people who are in the public eye to fight racism was addressed by several panellists. When prejudice is systematically challenged by reason, negative stereotypes will fade”, said Pillay. “Like millions of South Africans of my generation, I grew up with prejudice around me … But my life has taught me that ignorance and bigotry are no match for the power of education and example. The importance of education was emphasized by Vieira who asked for “education against racism, education on respect and tolerance, and education on diversity in addressing racism”. No player should have to make that choice”, he said. “We at FIFA supported Kevin-Prince Boateng for making that principled, brave stand. Referees are instructed to react when they witness acts of racism and racial discrimination, reminded Federico Addiechi, on behalf of Sepp Blatter, President of FIFA (Federation of International Football Associations), the organization that oversees international football. We have an opportunity to make the Pro Patria incident a key moment in the struggle against racism in sport”, Pillay declared after underlining that incidents at sporting events, and football in particular, were extremely damaging given the important role that professional athletes, and sporting events, play in inspiring children. “The time to kick the bigotry out of football is NOW. “What is happening today presents a great opportunity to tackle racism in football”, he added. “It was courageous of Prince to do that, which is why football players have supported him, said Patrick Vieira, ex-French international footballer and Football Development Executive at Manchester City Football Club. When asked about the incident, Boateng replied “In this moment it was the right thing to do”, adding “I hope I will never have to do it again … No player should decide to walk off, the referee should do that … They should stop the game when they hear racist chants”. We have to confront racism and combat it”, said Kevin-Prince Boateng, professional football player who led his AC Milan Team off the playing field to protest against racist chants during a friendly match with the Pro Patria football club, in Busto Arsizio, near Milan, Italy, on 3 January 2013. Similarly to a headache that you know will go away if you just wait long enough. “Sport at its best is inclusive, generous-hearted and fundamentally multicultural, based on values such as teamwork, loyalty, merit and self-control”, Pillay added at the event organized by her office in commemoration of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination celebrated every year on 21 March. They are an affront to human rights”, said the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, at a panel discussion on racism in sport where renowned professional footballers, football governing bodies and experts shared their experience and views racism in football and ways in which sport, and in particular football, can be used to combat racism and racial discrimination. These deplorable acts of bigotry and prejudice have no place in the 21st century. They have included insults, offensive chants, Nazi salutes, petitions against hiring certain players and even systematic denial of opportunities to play or to join football teams based on colour or nationality. “The world continues to witness deeply unpleasant acts during sporting events, including during football matches.
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