UEFA reiterate support for the Football People weeks at Champions and Europa League matches

Over the next three days, 40 matches of the UEFA Champions League and Europa League will endorse the message of the Fare action weeks through a series of activities promoting a European football free of discrimination.

Through their ‘No To Racism’ initiative UEFA reiterate their support to the Fare action weeks, engaging top-fly players, football giants and millions around the world.

Match day activities activities will include the screening of ‘No to Racism’ TV spots on giant screens in stadiums, which will also be broadcast European rights-holding media, special stadium announcements and print advertisements raising awareness of the campaign.

Teams will be accompanied onto the pitch by children wearing ‘No to Racism’ T-shirts, captains will wear ‘No to Racism’ branded armbands and pendents reading the same message will be exchanged between teams.

UEFA General Secretary Gianni Infantino said: “Inclusion, tolerance and acceptance of diversity are core values that UEFA promotes, using football as a channel to reach as many people as possible around the world.

“Racism and discrimination of any kind have no place in the game. This is the message that UEFA and its social responsibility partner, the Fare network, will convey at stadiums throughout Europe, with the support of national associations, clubs and players.

“We encourage football fans to join us in our efforts to value respect for players, officials, opponents and fellow supporters of all nationalities, religious backgrounds, sexual orientation and ethnic origins.”

In total, nearly 100 UEFA matches will be dedicated to the Fare action weeks, including the 54 EURO 2016 Qualifiers contested between 09 and 10 October 2015.

Ahead of the Champions League clash against Manchester United, CSKA Moscow goalkeeper and Football People supporter Igor Akinfeev shared his message of inclusivity: “Everybody is part of the same group and any questions of race or nationality are not important.”

“I am the kind of person that finds it unacceptable when someone abuses another one verbally. And when this concerns other skin colours, it is also unacceptable."

Four-time UEFA Champions League winner and UEFA ambassador for Diversity and Change, Clarence Seedorf, said: “I believe in the educational power of football. During my career, I always respected opponents, referees and teammates, embracing diversity as a catalyst for performance and success.

“The Fare initiative is essential as it reminds us all of the need and urge for positive change and action to take place in our sport, and our society as a whole.”

Ahead of #UCL meeting with @ManUtd, @PFC_CSKA_MOSCOW duo Akinfeev & Doumbia say #NotoRacism http://t.co/xbQUAqRSNC pic.twitter.com/YfUxzTNdNI

— UEFA (@UEFA) October 19, 2015