Incidents list reported to Fare during December 2017
The following incidents of racism, xenophobia, extreme nationalism or homophobia have been reported to Fare during December 2017. This list is only likely to reflect a proportion of the incidents that occurred.
All reports have been brought to Fare’s attention through eyewitness or media accounts. A Fare observer scheme is also currently at place at UEFA club competitions to monitor discriminatory behaviour.
Fare has third party reporting status with UEFA, and FIFA on international matches, and at a national level we can support incident reports made by our members.
The general public can keep us informed of national and international level incidents through the reporting form here.
6 December 2017 – CONMEBOL Copa Sudamericana: Independiente v Flamengo
A group of Independiente fans made monkey gestures towards the Flamengo fans during the match.
06 December 2017 - UEFA Youth League: Liverpool v Spartak Moscow
Spartak Moscow player Leonid Mironov racially abused Liverpool player Rhian Brewster.
12 December 2017 - Football Association of Wales: Jonathan Ford
Welsh Football Association CEO made a racist comment by suggesting that no English managers would be selected to become the next Wales national team coach.
13 December 2017 – CONMEBOL Copa Sudamericana: Flamengo v Independiente
An Independiente fan directed monkey gestures towards Flamengo fans during the match.
13 December 2017 - Ecuadorian Primera A: Emelec v Delfín
A group of Emelec fans racially abused Delfín player Roberto Ordóñez.
15 December 2017 - Santiago Morning: Hernán Muñoz and Luis Faúndez
Santiago Morning captain Hernán Muñoz made sexist comments about the possibility of being managed by female coach Paula Navarro, saying he would not agree to have in the men's dressing room.
The Vice-President of the Chilean club Luis Faúndez was also against having a woman as the first team's coach.
16 December 2017 – Manchester City: Raheem Sterling
Raheem Sterling was attacked and racially abused outside Manchester City’s training ground during preparation for their match against Tottenham Hotspur.
17 December 2017 – Dutch Eredivisie: AZ v Ajax
AZ fans sang anti-Semitic chants during the match directed at Ajax fans.
19 December 2017 – Football Association of Singapore
The Singaporean FA has been accused of age discrimination after they passed legislation that will limit the number of older footballers playing in Singapore.
20 December 2017 – Voetbal Inside: Rene van der Gijp
Rene van der Gijp co-host in Dutch football TV show made homophobic comments during a Voetbal Inside programme. Dutch politician calls for a boycott from advertisers in response to the comments.
26 December 2017 – English Conference Premier League: Eastleigh FC v Torquay United
Torquay United fans made monkey noises during the match.
26 December 2017 – English Championship: Millwall v Wolverhampton Wanderers
Home fans racially abused players and staff from Wolverhampton.
27 December 2017 – Belgian First Division: Kortrijk v Standard Liege
Standard Liege player Uche Agbo was racially abused by Kortijk fans.
29 December 2017 – Iran Persian Gulf Pro League: Persepolis Tehran v Tractor Sazi Tabriz
A group of Persepolis fans made racist slurs against Azerbaijani people.
29 December 2017 – Italian Serie A: Hellas Verona v Juventus
A group of Hellas Verona fans racially abused Juventus French player Blais Matuidi.
Social Media
Instagram/ Twitter: Antoine Griezmann
Antoine Griezmann caused outrage after posting a photograph of himself blackface as part of a fancy dress costume.
Sanctions
CONMEBOL: Independiente
Independiente received a fine of $15,000 and a warning of more severe punishments if racist incidents occur in the future after the racism that took place against Flamengo on the 6th December 2017.
FIFA: Croatia FA
Croatia have been sanctioned CHF 30,000 and received a warning for their fan's discriminatory chants during the FIFA World Cup Qualifier Croatia v Greece on 9 November 2017.
Brighton Magistrates Court: Crystal Palace fan
A Crystal Palace fan has received a three-year ban for homophobia directed at Brighton and Hove Albion supporters.
Latest News Articles

Another season of homophobia and ineffective responses in France
Why is homophobia such a persistent issue in French football? It’s a question on the minds of a growing number of people. Despite initiatives…

Five years after George Floyd
Five years ago this week George Floyd was murdered in Minneapolis.

Statement from the Fare network on the English FA and Scottish FA bans on trans women
The Fare network is disappointed at the decisions announced today by the English Football Association (FA) and the Scottish FA (SFA) to ban…

BLOG: Rafael Villanueva on challenging homophobic football culture in Mexico
“Poll after poll of the population shows the disregard most Mexicans have towards the LGBTIQ+ community. Homophobia is normalised from abuse, to human rights violations, to murder.”

Policy and Research Intern – Human Rights and World Cup 2026
Time Commitment: 3–4 days per week Duration: 6-8 weeks Overview We are seeking a motivated and highly literate intern to support our work on issues…

Bologna hosts the radical joy of the Giochi Antiracist Games this June
The Bonori sports centre in Bologna will become the vibrant heart of something different when between June 20th and 22nd the Giochi Antirazzisti takes…

Another season of homophobia and ineffective responses in France
Why is homophobia such a persistent issue in French football? It’s a question on the minds of a growing number of people. Despite initiatives…

Five years after George Floyd
Five years ago this week George Floyd was murdered in Minneapolis.

Statement from the Fare network on the English FA and Scottish FA bans on trans women
The Fare network is disappointed at the decisions announced today by the English Football Association (FA) and the Scottish FA (SFA) to ban…

BLOG: Rafael Villanueva on challenging homophobic football culture in Mexico
“Poll after poll of the population shows the disregard most Mexicans have towards the LGBTIQ+ community. Homophobia is normalised from abuse, to human rights violations, to murder.”

Policy and Research Intern – Human Rights and World Cup 2026
Time Commitment: 3–4 days per week Duration: 6-8 weeks Overview We are seeking a motivated and highly literate intern to support our work on issues…

Bologna hosts the radical joy of the Giochi Antiracist Games this June
The Bonori sports centre in Bologna will become the vibrant heart of something different when between June 20th and 22nd the Giochi Antirazzisti takes…

Another season of homophobia and ineffective responses in France
Why is homophobia such a persistent issue in French football? It’s a question on the minds of a growing number of people. Despite initiatives…

Five years after George Floyd
Five years ago this week George Floyd was murdered in Minneapolis.