Fare Network open call for EURO 2016 observers

Monitoring racist and discriminatory incidents has been a key element of the Fare programme since the Euro 2004 in Portugal. In order to tackle issues such as racism and discrimination in football it is an important tool to understand the scope of the problem.

Fare believes that tackling racism and discrimination in football requires a multi-facetted approach combining educational activities, disciplinary measures and encouraging self-regulation amongst fans.

Monitoring discriminatory incidents plays an important role in tackling this problem by providing a way to collect evidence and conduct a thorough analysis of the scope. The data collected may be used to focus stakeholders’ attention on particular issues and incidents and stimulate proactive debates and measures among NGOs, clubs, FAs and fans themselves.

For the UEFA EURO 2016 in France, Fare will dispatch two observers to attend each of the 51 games.

Observers will be selected on the basis of their expertise of the football culture in the countries that are competing in the particular fixture and the observers’ understanding of issues of racism and discrimination. The Fare observers will receive training prior to the tournament during which they will learn about the protocol that has been put in place for the reporting of discriminatory incidents and other relevant topics.

Each observer will receive a match ticket as well as a specific accreditation
All observers will need to be able to speak and write in English
Knowledge of other languages is an advantage

Observers must be available to attend EURO 2016 matches between 10 June – 10 July 2016. Specific dates of availability can be detailed in the application form.
Further, selected applicants must be available to attend training for Fare match day observers in early spring 2016.

Apply to become an observer if you:

Are an antifascist and antiracist activist
Agree that racism and discrimination has no place in football and society
Are ready to contribute to positive change
Are well acquainted with, and follow developments of the football fan scene in a particular or several countries
Are able to recognise and analyse specific displays of racism and discrimination in your country

Observers will need to be highly motivated and have knowledge and experience of anti-racism/anti-discrimination issues and manifestation of discrimination in the football context (through symbols, chants, etc.) in their country/countries of expertise.