RECORD SUPPORT FOR TACKLING RACISM IN FOOTBALL

1.49.32pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 15th Mar 2006

As the deadline for signatures came to an end, Sharon Bowles MEP for the South East expressed her delight at how much support the European Parliament had given to an initiative in tackling racism in football.

"Fighting racism and xenophobia is one of the biggest challenges facing our society today and everyone must play a part in eliminating it.

"A sign of how far we still need to go can be sadly witnessed during football games, where mostly peaceful spectators are confronted with racist and xenophobic activities of a dumb minority. As football has such a high profile across the European Union proper action must be taken and this can be best achieved if all member states act together.

"Our declaration is giving support to all those who feel themselves committed to counter racism and xenophobia in football and calls for the implementation of proper measures, such as giving referees the power to stop or abandon matches where there are racist incident."

Sharon Bowles played a key role in rallying support amongst her Parliamentary colleagues. A record number of 423 MEPs have signed the declaration, which will now be forwarded to the European Commission and the Governments of all EU Member States.

Ends.

Notes to editors:-

Rule 116 : Written declarations

1. Up to five Members may submit a written declaration of not more than 200 words on a matter falling within the sphere of activities of the European Union. Written declarations shall be printed in the official languages and distributed. They shall be included with the names of the signatories in a register. This register shall be public and shall be maintained outside the entrance to the Chamber during part-sessions and between part-sessions in an appropriate location to be determined by the College of Quaestors.

2. Any Member may add his signature to a declaration included in the register.

3. Where a declaration is signed by the majority of Parliament's component Members, the President shall notify Parliament accordingly and publish the names of the signatories in the minutes.

4. Such a declaration shall, at the end of the part-session, be forwarded to the institutions named therein together with the names of the signatories. It shall be included in the minutes of the sitting at which it is announced. Publication in the minutes shall close the procedure.

5. A written declaration that has stood in the register for over three months and has not been signed by at least one half of the component Members of Parliament shall lapse.