2023-12-11 15:56:00
Copy: UK Embassy in Madrid75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Former professional footballers, civil society and diplomats join forces to address systemic discrimination in football
An event organized by the Embassy of the United Kingdom in Spain and Amnesty International
The event, held in Madrid, discussed the best way to address the rise of sexism, racism and homophobia in football
Leading figures from the world of football met with civil society and diplomats to address sexism, racism and homophobia in sport, at a joint Amnesty International and UK Embassy forum in Madrid on Monday 11 December.
Former Spanish international Fernando Morientes and former England player Anita Asante joined representatives from the La Liga Foundation, Leicester City and Real Betis, among others, at the anti-discrimination event held at the Caixa Fórum in Madrid .
The event falls within the framework of both Human Rights Day and the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and World Football Day, and was organized to address systemic discrimination in football and analyze the positive role it can play. sport to address various forms of abuse in society.
These include the work of football club foundations such as ‘Leicester City in the Community’ and the Real Betis Foundation, which run programs to engage marginalized communities and promote inclusion, and Comfort Angels, a team that represents to refugee women from countries such as Albania, Sudan, Nigeria, Pakistan and Ethiopia, helping them feel welcome and connected in their community.
Many footballers recognize that much remains to be done to make football truly inclusive. From sexism to racial abuse, homophobic chants and online abuse, speakers joined forces to explore how best to address these persistent issues plaguing the sport.
In August, systemic sexism at the highest level of football was exposed when the former president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation, Luis Rubiales, forcibly kissed Spanish international Jenni Hermoso without her consent during the World Cup celebrations that the national team had just conquered. The incident overshadowed the crowning moment of women’s football and led to an overwhelming response from women who shared their experiences of abuse at all levels of the game.
Football also has the power to unite, and the forum discussed positive examples of how the sport contributes to creating welcoming and sustainable communities. An example is Amnesty International UK’s Football Welcomes campaign, which celebrates the contribution of refugee players to the game. The initiative highlights the leading role that football can play in creating more welcoming communities for refugees.
But more needs to be done and that is why these speakers have come together to see how discrimination can be eliminated.
Anita Asante, a renowned former England international turned coach, said: “It is sad that we still see so much discrimination in football. “With integrity and courage, we must oppose divisive, hateful actions and rhetoric.”
“Many people identify with football, wherever they are from and whatever their origins, that is why I feel proud to raise my voice against racism, sexism and homophobia inside and outside of it,” added Asante.
The British ambassador to Spain, Hugh Elliott, who opened the event, stated the following: “Millions of people around the world follow their favorite teams every week, and that is a great opportunity for football to be a force for good.” and for the defense of human rights. “Racism, sexism and homophobia have no place on or off the playing fields.”
In response to recent complaints of sexism and racism against footballers in Spain, Carlos de las Heras, head of Sports and Human Rights at Amnesty International Spain, maintains that “it is imperative that both sports institutions and Spanish authorities commit to zero tolerance towards sexual and racist violence. Incidents such as the one that occurred after the World Cup final, when the then president of the Spanish Football Federation kissed the player Jenni Hermoso without consent, should not be repeated. “Nor can the racist behavior and attitudes that the player Vinicius Jr. suffered during last season continue.”
It is important to welcome refugees who have fled conflict and persecution into football. In response, Naomi Westland, Head of Welcome in Football at Amnesty International UK, believes that “everyone – from politicians to football clubs and their fans – has a role to play in creating more welcoming communities for people who have been forced to flee their homes.” “There is more that unites us than separates us, and it is great to see football clubs making this their own through initiatives such as Amnesty’s Football Welcomes programme,” she said.
“We will continue to work with football organizations to promote respect, understanding and inclusion in communities, concluded Westland.
Participants in the joint event between Amnesty International and the Embassy of the United Kingdom:
Round table: How football can create welcoming and sustainable communities, moderated by journalist José Larraza:
Allison Tripney, Community Director, Leicester City;Comfort Etim, founder of women’s refugee team, Comfort Angels;Clemente Villaverde, President, La Liga Foundation;Rafa Muela, General Director, Real Betis Balompié; andNaomi Westland, Director of Football Welcomes, Amnesty International UK.
The role of football in the fight against racism, sexism and homophobia, moderated by Relevo journalist, Natalia Torrente:
Anita Asante, football coach and former English player;Fernando Morientes, former Spanish international;Carlos de las Heras, head of Sports and Human Rights, Amnesty International SpainClara Sainz de Baranda, Associate Professor of Journalism at the Carlos III University and vice president of the Association of Women for Professional Sports.
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