KICK RACISM OUT OF FOOTBALL SAYS NORTH EAST EURO-MP

12.00.00am GMT Tue 6th Dec 2005

Fiona Hall, the Liberal Democrat Euro-MP for the North East, is backing a new campaign to "kick racism out of football" across Europe.

Fiona Hall is one of many MEPs supporting a call for tough new rules to tackle racism in football. Ms Hall has signed a Written Declaration in the European Parliament that has the support of UEFA. It is calling for referees to be granted the power to stop a match if serious racist abuse occurs.

Ms Hall commented:

"Footballers have the right to a working environment free of racist abuse, just as we all do. Given the number of European competitions in which English footballers and teams from the North East teams now compete, it makes sense that the issue should be addressed on a European level."

MEPs are also calling for competition organizers to consider sanctions on clubs whose players or supporters commit serious racist offences, with the option of removing persistent offenders from competitions.

Ms Hall added:

"The popularity of football makes it an ideal vehicle to spread the message that racist attitudes will not be tolerated in sport."

Note

A Written Declaration in the European Parliament is similar to an Early Day Motion at Westminster. It is a means by which an MEP can make a political statement on a particular issue. It is launched by one or more MEP, and then has three months to gain enough signatures to be debated in Parliament.

(It needs the signatures of half of the Members of the European Parliament.)