CALL FOR APPLICATIONS

to become Fare observer at international football matches in Europe

The Fare Network is extending its observer scheme to monitor discriminatory incidents in European football in the 2014-15 football season.

A restricted call for applications to become Fare match day observers is now open to strengthen the capacity of the observer scheme in selected countries.

The newly recruited observers will join the team of 50 trained Fare match day observers and will be deployed at UEFA Champions League and Europa League matches, UEFA EURO 2016 qualification and FIFA international fixtures in the 2014-15 football season.

The call is restricted to applicants who have the expertise to monitor matches in the following countries:

- Italy

- Russia

- Belarus

- Georgia

- Bulgaria

- Czech Republic

- Spain

- Portugal

- Slovenia

- Slovakia

- Ukraine

- Romania

If you have participated in the Fare observer scheme in 2013-14 football season and received training, you do not need to apply again.

Monitoring racist and discriminatory chanting and symbols at football matches has been a key element of the Fare programme for many years. In order to tackle issues such as racism and discrimination in football it is important to understand the scope of the problem.

Fare believes tackling racism and discrimination in football requires a multi-facetted approach combining educational activities, disciplinary measures and encouraging self-regulation amongst fans.

Monitoring discriminatory incidents plays an important role in tackling this problem by providing a way to collect evidence and conduct a thorough analysis of the scope. The data collected may be used to focus stakeholders’ attention to particular issues and incidents and stimulate proactive debates and measures on the part of NGOs, clubs, FAs and fans themselves.

We want to make sure that football fans and other stakeholders are doing everything they can to prevent racist and discriminatory incidents from occurring and react appropriately when discriminatory incidents occur. Match day observers are a key element within this system with the necessary knowledge and experience to make reports when incidents occur during a game.

Fare match day observers will be expected to:
• Be available to attend European matches during the 2014-15 season in countries according to their expertise
• Conduct online research and draw on their own experience prior to their designated game

• Observe games to record incidents of discriminatory chanting, displays of far-right symbols and other examples of overt discriminatory activities
• Write and submit a report to Fare detailing all discriminatory incidents noted during the match

So if you:
• Are well acquainted with, and follow developments in, the football fan scene in your country
• Agree that racism and discrimination has no place in football and society
• Are ready to contribute to positive change
• Are an antifascist and antiracist activist
• Are able to recognise and analyse specific displays of racism and discrimination in your country
Get involved!

What we can offer:
• Training for the role of Observer on behalf of Fare
• The opportunity to become part of an international network of activists committed to fighting discrimination
• The chance to develop your expertise in anti-racist work
• Cover travel and related expenses

To join the team of Fare match day observers, please complete the Application form by 01 June 2014. You will be informed about the outcome of your application within two weeks of this closing date.

Selected applicants with proven expertise in eligible countries must be available to attend training for Fare match day observers on June 27-28.