NEVER AGAIN

27,552 Signatures Against Racism in Stadiums in Poland

November 2002

The 'Never Again' Association and 'Polish Humanitarian Action' collected 27,552 signatures under a petition demanding action against racism in Polish stadiums. On Monday the signatures were presented to Michal Listkiewicz, the president of the Polish Football Association.

Mr Listkiewicz has pledged to co-operate with 'Never Again' in order to remove racist symbols from football stadiums.

The signatures were collected in stadiums and schools all over the country as well as during Przystanek Woodstock, the biggest European music festival organised annually in Zary, Poland. Football fans continue to send in more signatures from all over Poland.
The presentation of the petition was part of the Action Week of Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE), an international network co-founded by the Polish 'Never Again' Association. The FARE Action Week will continue until 28 October.

- We are happy to express our complete support for the FARE Action Week and we call upon everybody across Europe to join the campaign - said Gerhard Aigner, UEFA chief executive. - UEFA has reinforced its stand against racism in terms of its rulebook.

On the occasion of the FARE Action Week UEFA announced a 10-point plan of action against racism, distributed to clubs and football associations throughout Europe.

The petition initiated by the 'Never Again' Association lists antisemitic abuse, neofascist symbols and frequent hostility to Black players as reasons for concern in Polish stadiums.

In addition, as part of the FARE Action Week, meetings, concerts, and football games have been organized in several cities in Poland.

'NEVER AGAIN' is an independent anti-racist association that has monitored racist incidents since 1996. It publishes the magazine 'Never Again' as well as runs the 'Let's Kick Racism Out of the Stadiums' campaign in co-operation with football fans, journalists, and players.