VALENCIA (Servimedia). LaLiga brought together councilors and Sports directors from sixteen autonomous communities in a working day “with the aim of creating synergies and sharing initiatives to combat hateful behavior that is unacceptable and contrary to the values of tolerance and respect that it promotes” annihilation “sport.”
This was explained in a statement from the Spanish football association, after a meeting next Wednesday in which it was also agreed “the constitution of a Working Group that will meet twice a year.”
In addition to the representatives of the autonomous communities, there was the participation of the Secretary of State for Migration, Pilar Cancela; representative of the European Commission in Spain Irina Vasiliu; deputy director general of the Sports Legal Regime of the central securities depository, Raúl Rodríguez; general director of LaLiga Business, Jorge de la Vega; director of Public Affairs and Institutional Relations of LaLiga, Jose Montero; and LaLiga brand director Ángel Fernández. Each emphasized “the willingness to cooperate on a recurring basis and work together to stop hate speech in our society.”
According to the statement, “the sharing between the participants showed the high proactiveness of the autonomous communities in the field of social intervention through sport in matters of respect, tolerance and the fight against hate speech.”
In this sense, a survey at the regional level presented in the framework of this day shows that “94% of the autonomous communities have taken actions to combat racism and xenophobia in sport” and 88% of them consider ” that “Actions to fight”. positive hatred is an instrument for the social promotion of the values of respect and tolerance.”
Jorge de la Vega emphasized the importance of the meeting, which he described as “an opportunity to share knowledge and experiences, to share what we do at LaLiga with our LaLiga VS platform and, above all, to learn about your initiatives and your own proposals. “.
Pilar Cancela thanked LaLiga “for its clear commitment to this fight that we must all share. We have implemented this collaboration that we have launched with LaLiga with tools. This is very important, because sometimes we still only make statements. But that we are able to shape it, and make it concrete with resources and measures, it is an obligation that belongs to us all. For the public powers in the first place, but also for all those entities that show, in a permanent and continuous way over time, and from day to day, this with their actions and their promises, which also go further. Spain’s own physical borders”.
Irina Vasiliu expressed that “we must consider that incitement to hatred not only harms individual victims, it also threatens the cohesion of our society. It fosters polarization, radicalization and alienates different sectors of our populations and threatens our democracies. And for that reason, the Commission has proposed to include hate speech and hate crimes in the list of crimes of the European Union, in accordance with Article 83 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. We hope that this file will come to a fruitful conclusion.”
Raúl Rodríguez indicated that “work is starting on a possible reform of the Law against Violence, 19/2007. It is a very good law, but it needs to correct certain malpractices in practice.”
The statement also highlights that “the participation data highlights the need for communication and coordination between the administrations themselves and the private sector, confirming the usefulness and meaning of initiatives such as this day proposed by LaLiga yesterday.”
How significant is the role of local governments in addressing racism and xenophobia in LaLiga?
Interview Transcript: Time.news with Jorge de la Vega, General Director of LaLiga Business
Time.news Editor: Welcome, Jorge! It’s a pleasure to have you with us today. LaLiga recently held a significant meeting aimed at combating hate speech and unacceptable behavior in sports. Can you give us a brief overview of what motivated this gathering?
Jorge de la Vega: Thank you for having me! The motivation behind our meeting was to foster collaboration among the representatives of the autonomous communities in Spain. We recognise that hateful behavior is contrary to the core values of respect and tolerance that sports should embody. We wanted to create synergies and share best practices to address these issues more effectively.
Time.news Editor: That’s commendable! I understand that a working group was established during this meeting. Can you elaborate on what their main goals will be?
Jorge de la Vega: Absolutely! The working group is designed to be a platform for continual engagement and collaboration. We’ll meet twice a year to discuss progress, share insights, and develop new initiatives. Our focus will be on effective strategies to combat hate speech and promote inclusivity within sports at all levels.
Time.news Editor: In the press release, it was noted that a significant percentage of autonomous communities have already taken steps against racism and xenophobia in sports. How do you view the role of local governments in this fight?
Jorge de la Vega: Local governments play a critical role! The survey presented at our meeting showed that 94% of autonomous communities have implemented actions against these issues. This proactive approach demonstrates their commitment to fostering an environment where every individual feels accepted. The collaboration between LaLiga and these communities is crucial in amplifying our collective efforts.
Time.news Editor: LaLiga has its own platform, ‘LaLiga VS.’ How does this initiative fit into the broader context of combating hate in sport?
Jorge de la Vega: ‘LaLiga VS’ is a key element of our fight against hate speech. It allows us to take a systematic approach by raising awareness, educating fans, and promoting positive values. It is a collaborative space where we share resources, initiatives, and campaigns with our partners, aiming to amplify their impact.
Time.news Editor: Pilar Cancela, Secretary of State for Migration, also spoke about the importance of this collaboration. How does LaLiga plan to work with government bodies moving forward?
Jorge de la Vega: We’re fortunate to have strong support from government representatives like Pilar. Our plan is to maintain open lines of communication and create a framework where we can jointly implement initiatives. This teamwork is essential to addressing hate speech not just in stadiums, but throughout society.
Time.news Editor: It’s encouraging to hear such dedication! In your opinion, what impact do you think these initiatives will have on the culture of sports in Spain moving forward?
Jorge de la Vega: I believe we are at a turning point. By tackling hate speech head-on and implementing these initiatives, we are paving the way for a more inclusive culture within sports. It’s about setting an example for the younger generation and creating an environment where everyone, regardless of their background, can enjoy the game.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Jorge. It sounds like LaLiga is making significant strides in the right direction. Any final thoughts you’d like to share with our readers?
Jorge de la Vega: Only that we all have a role to play. Whether you’re a fan, player, or part of the governing body, we must unite against hate. Together, we can inspire change, promote respect, and ensure that sports are a positive force in society. Thank you for having me!
Time.news Editor: Thank you for your time, Jorge, and for the incredible work you’re doing to make sports a better environment for everyone!