Kicking Racism out of European Football

3.08.47pm UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 16th Mar 2006

Sharon Bowles MEP for Hampshire expressed her delight at how much support the European Parliament has given to an initiative in tackling racism in football.

"Fighting racism is one of the biggest challenges facing our society today and everyone must play a part in eliminating it.

"A sign of how far we still need to go can be sadly witnessed during football games, where mostly peaceful spectators are confronted with racist activities of a dumb minority. As football has such a high profile across the European Union proper action must be taken and this can be best achieved if all member states act together.

"Our declaration is giving support to all those who feel themselves committed to counter racism and xenophobia in football and calls for the implementation of proper measures, such as giving referees the power to stop or abandon matches where there are racist incidents."

Sharon Bowles played a key role in rallying support amongst her Parliamentary colleagues. A record number of 423 MEPs have signed the declaration, which will now be forwarded to the European Commission and the Governments of all EU Member States.