The following incidents of racism, xenophobia, extreme nationalism or homophobia have been reported to Fare during March 2020. 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 and national team competitions to monitor discriminatory behaviour.

Fare sends trained international observers to record discriminatory incidents at UEFA Champions League, Europa League, European Qualifiers and UEFA EURO 2020 as well as FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Preliminary Competition.

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.

Note: Football matches have been suspended worldwide in the second part of March due to the Coronavirus (Covid-19) global pandemic and the corresponding quarantine measures by most countries in the world.

04 March 2020 – Romanian Cup – Petrolul v Sepsi

Petrolul fans directed anti-Hungarian xenophobic chants at Sepsi who are coming from a Hungarian minority region in Romania. The referee interrupted the game and ordered a stadium announcement.

05 March 2020 – English FA Cup – Derby County v Manchester United

Manchester United player Jesse Lingard was racially abused by Derby County fans as he was entering the team bus after the match.

07 March 2020 – English National League – Hartlepool United v Ebbsfleet United

Hartlepool fans racially abused Ebbsfleet players as the club said that two alleged incidents of racism during the game have been recorded.

08 March 2020 - Dutch Second Division – Go Ahead Eagles v De Graafschap

Go Ahead Eagles fans chanted homophobic abuse at De Graafschap fans just before the start of the game "Alle boeren zijn homo's" (ENG: ‘All farmers are gay.’)

09 March 2020 – Indian I-League - East Bengal v Real Kashmir

Real Kashmir player racially abused Senegalese midfielder Kassim Aidara calling him a ‘fu***ng monkey.’

Media/ Social Media

09 March 2020 – Malaysian M-League/ Social Media

Selangor United head coach B. Satiananthan told media he is fed up with racism in football after discovering some fans who posted racist comments on social media targeting Indian players on his team.

Sanctions

02 March 2020 – Bulgarian Football Union – CSKA Sofia

BFU fined CSKA Sofia with a 37,500 Levs (18700 EUR) fine for their fans’ racist abuse of Tsarsko Selo striker Dylan Bahamboula. The player was also fined 2000 EUR for reacting to abuse and showing fans the middle finger.

04 March 2020 – English Premier League/ Police – Everton fan

Everton fan received a court banning order for three years following racist abuse of Crystal Palace player Andros Townsend during Everton v Crystal Palace on 10 August 2019.

04 March 2020 – Portuguese Primeira Liga – Vitoria SC

The Portuguese league fined Vitoria SC 714 euros for racially abusing Moussa Marega during Vitoria SC v Porto game on 16 February 2020.

09 March 2020 – Brazilian Sport Court – Sāo Paulo

São Paulo were fined R$ 30,000 by the TJD (Court of Sports Justice) for the homophobic chants of the fans during the match against Corinthians in the Paulista Championship on 15 February 2020.

17 March 2020 – English Premier League/ Police – Manchester City fan

Police have charged a Man City fan for racist abuse of Man United players during Manchester City v Manchester United fixture on 7 December.