Some of football’s biggest names will join a movement of over 100,000 for the 2018 #FootballPeople weeks, the biggest social change campaign in European sport.

For two weeks between the 11th-25th October more than 2,000 activities will take place in over 60 countries in Europe, Latin America, Africa and Asia. The campaign aims to drive social inclusion and tackle discrimination, using football as a vehicle to educate, inspire and promote equality for all.

On the eve of the launch of the period, Fare Executive Director Piara Powar said:

“The Football People action weeks provide a perfect opportunity for European football to come together to challenge exclusion and discrimination, and support inclusion and diversity.” “Anyone who is involved in football is invited to take part in the weeks, and to make an active contribution by organising activities. Last year over 100,000 active participants were directly involved. Together, we can shape European football as an inclusive entity. “Activities, will include conferences, debates, workshops, tournaments and many more events at national and international level. There are opportunities for everyone to get involved.”

Football governing bodies including UEFA are also backing the campaign, reinforcing a message of social equality and zero tolerance of discrimination.

UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin said:

“I am glad to offer UEFA’s continued support to our partner Fare for this year’s Football People action weeks, taking place from 11 until 25 October. There is no place for racism, discrimination and intolerance in football, and UEFA has a zero-tolerance policy towards such conduct.” “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. Football is a game that must be accessible to everyone, no matter who they are, where they’re from and how they play.”

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Events across Europe have already begun to take place.

On Monday 8th October, BCOMS (The Black Collective of Media in Sport) held a conference on diversity in the sports media, D Word 3, funded with an event grant from the Fare network as part of the weeks. The event included a workshop hosted by Fare executive director Piara Powar on 'Thinking Global' in sports media.

In Spain, CDE Dragones de Lavapies in Madrid held a Museo Nacional de Antropología’s Cup at Retiro Park’s La Chopera football pitch bringing together some of Madrid’s diverse cultural groups.

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On October 14th in Berlin, Germany the organisation Champions Ohne Grenzen will host a networking event and conference aimed at increasing the number of ethnic minority women coaches in German football.

On October 19th Dutch civil rights organisation Kompass will hold panel discussions on LGBT rights and racism in Dutch football at the stadium of Dutch professional club ADO Den Haag.

In Italy, amateur club ASD Polisportiva Atletico Diritti will host a football tournament on October 11th in memory of 60 refugee children who died whilst trying to cross the Mediterranean by boat five years ago. Teams playing from the Vatican and reporters from Italy’s national television channel RAI who covered the story will take part.

In Belgium, The Belgian Football Association will host a ‘Football and Diversity’ conference and panel discussion aiming to create an action plan to tackle discriminatory chants at football matches. The event will also focus on refugee inclusion and how to use football to promote integration, with a particular focus on refugee women and girls.

A full list of activities taking place around the world during the action weeks can be found via the link here.

Follow the 2018 Football People weeks on social media (Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and Instagram) and through the activities map. Message us, tweet us, share your images and videos and let us know how you're involved. Join the thousands of people around the world. Be inspired, be a part of the #FootballPeople movement.

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