UEFA & Fare team up to promote inclusion, diversity and accessibility in football

UEFA is reiterating its support to tackle all forms of discrimination and promote inclusion, diversity and accessibility as part of the Football People action weeks, organised by UEFA's social responsibility partner the Fare network.

From 11 to 25 October activities are taking place at 94 matches in the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Nations League and the UEFA Women's Champions League. Players, clubs and national teams involved in these competitions are lending their support to both the Fare network and UEFA, who are committed to fighting for an end to discrimination in football as well as developing new ideas and practices which can challenge exclusion. In 2017, over 100,000 people took part in 2,000 events in more than 60 countries.

"I am glad to offer UEFA's continued support to Fare for this year's Football People action weeks," said UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin. "There is no place for racism, discrimination and intolerance in football. By using UEFA's top club and national team competitions as a high-profile platform to promote Fare's activities, we are emphasising our firm commitment to celebrating diversity and inclusion."

The teams involved in the Football People action weeks will line up for a mixed photo with the referees, while an #EqualGame hashtag will also be on display. Videos will be played on giant screens at stadiums across Europe, announcements made over the stadium public address systems and child mascots wearing #EqualGame t-shirts will encourage everyone in the game to stand up to discrimination and to embrace inclusion, diversity and accessibility.

"The #FootballPeople action weeks provide a perfect opportunity for the European football community to come together to challenge exclusion and discrimination, and support inclusion and diversity. Together we can send out a strong, united message that any form of discrimination must now belong to the past," said Fare executive director Piara Powar.

UEFA's long-standing collaboration with the Fare network's Football People’s action weeks has been running since 2001. The aim of this initiative fits in perfectly with the goals of #EqualGame, which is looking to promote inclusion, diversity and accessibility.

#EqualGame is an evolution of the previous UEFA RESPECT drive 'No to Racism'. UEFA remains fully committed to the fight against racism and is expanding its campaign to cover all aspects of inclusion, such as ethnicity, gender, age and sexual orientation.