European football: Discrimination, discipline and Kosovo's debut

Discrimination in football – campaign launched by The FA as the battle goes on

The Football Association have produced four anti-discrimination videos as part of its latest drive to counter discrimination in the English game. The videos are focused on racism, homophobia, anti-semitism and other forms of discrimination.

Dion Dublin and Graeme Le Saux, both former England international players, feature in the films, which are aimed at both supporters and players as the battle to fight racism English football continues.

English referees have been warned to expect an increase in the reporting of incidents relating to discrimination in light of the campaign, which is particularly noteworthy in light of the recent ban issued to Nicolas Anelka.

In Scotland at the weekend, a supporter was arrested after allegedly making racist comments towards a Partick Thistle player in their home Scottish Premiership match against Hibs on Saturday afternoon. It can only be hoped that campaigns such as the new Football Association one will help to eradicate the ongoing problems being experienced in the British game.

Source articles: 
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26574619
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/10701569/FA-films-urge-players-to-tackle-discrimination.html
https://www.scotsman.com/news/scotland/top-stories/man-arrested-over-partick-thistle-racial-abuse-1-3343400

UEFA discipline – two disciplinary hearings listed for 20 March

Two of Europe’s biggest clubs, Bayern Munich F.C. and Atletico Madrid C.F., are to face UEFA’s control and disciplinary body in separate hearings this Thursday (tomorrow).

Bayern Munich

UEFA opened disciplinary proceedings against Bayern Munich as a result of two ‘‘indecent, inappropriate or offensive’’ banners on display in the Allianz Arena during last week’s Champions League match against Arsenal. The first banner related to the on-going publicity campaign to have Kosovo, an independent state since 2008, officially recognised by both FIFA and UEFA. The second banner attracted UEFA’s attention because it contained ‘‘offensive words/ images’’ and should warrant a more straightforward disciplinary procedure.

This case is similar to the disciplinary proceedings opened last year against Scottish champions Celtic (and previously in 2011) and Dutch champions Ajax which resulted in both clubs being sanctioned with five-figure fines.