Anti-racism campaign launched at Euro 2004

Anti-racism campaigners are using Euro 2004 as a platform to combat prejudice in football which they believe still remains a significant problem for the game.

Pat Cox, the Irish president of the European Parliament, and Gilberto Madail, president of the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) were among the speakers although the star guest was missing at the press launch for Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE).

Portuguese legend Eusebio, who hails from Mozambique and was arguably the first black player to become a superstar in Europe, did not turn up as had been promised but sent a message of support.

Former player Paul Elliott said he believed the game had come a long way but still had work to do to eradicate racism.

Reminding people of negative experiences in England, Scotland and Italy, Elliott said: “We need to attract more people from ethnic minorities into the stadia – at the moment there is still no diversity.”

Campaigners also highlighted that in the season just finished only two clubs in Europe’s big six leagues had black managers – they are Barcelona’s Frank Rijkaard and Strasbourg’s Antoine Kombouare.

However, Ruud Gullit is taking over at Feyenoord this summer while Jean Tigana is considered the favourite to replaced Jacques Santini as France coach.

Madail believed that Portugal’s rich cultural diversity which can be traced back to the days when 15th and 16th Century explorers built an empire that included territories in Latin America, the Far East and Africa meant that he expected Euro 2004 to be a racism-free event.

“We think we have a very good example of this in Eusebio,” said Madail. “Generally speaking we have no racism in Portugal.”

FARE have planned several initiatives including a telephone hotline for anyone who witnesses a racist incident, so-called “fans embassies” to promote goodwill among rival supporters and “street kick” – organised games of football outside the venues.