TACKLE Racism in Grassroots Football
Tackle Racism aims at combatting racism and xenophobia in football, by empowering directly coaches and managers of grassroots football to become agents of inclusion.
Grant Agreement Number: 622561-EPP-1-2020-1-CY-SPO-SCP
Funded by: Erasmus+ Duration: 01/01/2021 – 31/12/2022
Challenge
In recent years, a steadily growing number of initiatives around Europe that aim to combat racism in sport are being observed. However, the vast majority of these actions mainly focus on professional sport and football and not in amateur football (including youth football) where similar incidents also appear in amateur football (including youth football).
Moreover, it is noted that players themselves often use racist discourse among themselves to provoke their opponents. Unfortunately, racism is making a resurgence around Europe and football represents another field where it is being expressed, witnessed and felt. The need to address racism and xenophobia in football, mostly in grassroots level, where there is limited coverage and support for the players, coaches and fans involved is urgent. Indeed, the existence of racism and discrimination in football is not a secret, but it remains underreported and more effective measures are needed.
Football, as the most popular sport, can act as driving force to bring the community together, transcending social or ethnic divisions. Within this context, grassroots football and local football clubs should provide a safe place, where everybody comes together behind a common sense, a common goal. To achieve this, football coaches and managers in grassroots football should be able to proactively manage and prevent racism, xenophobia, and other forms of intolerance.
Innovation
Tackle aims at combatting racism and xenophobia in football, mostly in grassroots football, by empowering directly people working at the forefront of football, the staff, coaches and trainers of grassroots football to become agents of inclusion. To achieve this, Tackle ensures that the values of diversity and respect are embedded in their trainings, their interactions with their players and opponents as well as the workings of the clubs or teams they are involved in.
Action
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Project Partners
Cyprus
Switzerland
Netherlands
Cyprus
Ireland
Romania