By Daisy Ayliffe - 13th March 2006
The European parliament is set to adopt a resolution on tackling racism in football ahead of this summer’s world cup.
European parliament president Josep Borrell will team up with international footballers and the sport’s governing body in Europe, UEFA to launch an anti- racism drive on Tuesday.
420 MEPs have signed a declaration calling on all parts of the football world to do more to stamp out prejudice.
The declaration calls on UEFA and other competition organisers to take a tougher line on racist abuse on and off the pitch and urges new powers for referees.
UEFA has come under increasing pressure to introduce sporting sanctions, such as excluding clubs from competitions.
Labour MEPs will also use Tuesday’s plenary session to call for football matches to be broadcast without sound or colour if a racist incident occurs during the world cup.
"In partnership with UEFA I am calling for tougher sanctions against clubs and national football associations who do not fine or take action against racist fans and players,” author of the declaration Claude Moraes MEP explained.
"Currently UEFA is taking action across its 52 European members - but it is not enough. Exemplary fines, exclusion of fans from stadiums, the stopping of matches by referees and in some cases, termination of media coverage, are all powers which must be used more frequently.”
Racism continues to dog European football - with many players subjected to abuse from fans.
In late 2004, Spanish supporters hit the headlines for hurling abuse at black players from the England squad.
“Racism is being played out as black players are abused by spectators from organised neo-nazis and ordinary football supporters,” Moraes declared.
"As the world cup approaches we know that tackling this issue is one way of tackling racism in wider society."
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