RESPECT. ΕΚΣΤΡΑΤΕΙΑ ΤΗΣ UEFA ΚΑΤΑ ΤΗΣ ΟΜΟΦΥΛΟΦΟΒΙΑΣ ΣΤΑ ΓΗΠΕΔΑ

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UEFA unveils 'Respect' initiative

by Mark Chaplin from Vienna (euro2008.uefa.com)

UEFA President Michel Platini has today unveiled a campaign entitled 'Respect', which will feature prominently at UEFA EURO 2008™ in Austria and Switzerland, as well as at future UEFA competitions and events.

International language

"Respect can be used as an umbrella term for lots of different initiatives," Mr Platini said at the opening of the UEFA EURO 2008™ workshop in Vienna for the 16 national associations taking part in the June finals. "It is a word that is readily understood in many languages." Through UEFA EURO 2008™, UEFA is supporting five social projects to the tune of CHF3.45m (€2.2m). Each project is dedicated to a specific target group - schoolchildren, fans, or disabled people.

Social projectsIn addition, the word 'Respect' will be put forward constantly during the tournament, via initiatives such as respecting opponents, the opposition's national anthem and the referees. The 'Respect' logo will be visible on every shirt and every drinks bottle. "UEFA EURO 2008™ is a sporting and media event with worldwide exposure and it is important to use it to transmit a strong social, civic and humanitarian message," said Mr Platini.

Uniting campaigns

"For many years, UEFA and European football have been involved at all levels of society, enabling our sport to use its enormous popularity to help in combating social ills, promoting civic commitments and defending major humanitarian causes. The time has come to bring these campaigns together to strengthen their impact. UEFA EURO 2008™ offers us the opportunity to highlight a concept which epitomises all of our work at the level of social responsibility - respect. Respect for opponents, in the cities, in the stands and on the pitch.

"'Difference and diversity

'The campaign will expand in the future to all UEFA competitions and events, and the word will also be spread by the football family at national and local levels. "There must be respect for the difference and diversity that enriches our continent," said Mr Platini. "In concrete terms, this means strengthening the fight against social ills such as racism, violence, xenophobia and homophobia, and reinforced backing for our partners who promote sport for the disabled. Emotions and respect - two words for a great football festival.

"Public platform

With the slogan 'Football for All', people with disabilities are to be given the opportunity to demonstrate their sports skills before a broad public. Before each quarter-final, international disabled sports groups - people with learning disabilities (Special Olympics), paraplegia, cerebral palsy and who suffer from blindness - will compete in matches. The demonstration games are designed to make clear to fans and visitors to EURO that anyone can play football. In collaboration with UEFA, the Swiss disabled sports federation, PLUSPORT, will be helping organise the four games in Basel and Vienna. The Austrian disabled sports federation, ÖBSV, will also be supporting the project, helping to better integrate disabled athletes.

Unite Against Racism

The 'Respect diversity' theme will also run through the Unite Against Racism project. Unite Against Racism is an awareness campaign that incorporates various activities before and during the tournament, peaking at the semi-finals. The project's profile will be given an added boost by Hublot, a national supporter in both host countries. The Unite Against Racism logo will be displayed not only on the perimeter boards in the stadiums, but also on the captains' armbands and on the kits of the ball boys and girls, the stewards and the substitutes.