This project aimed to contribute to combating racism and discrimination in sport. It included an overview of racist incidents and structural discrimination in the 27 EU Member States, highlighting exclusionary policies and practices. The project provided information about problems faced by vulnerable groups, whilst also promoting good practice examples.
The study covered all areas of sport, with a particular focus on three sports (football, athletics, and a third national sport that varied according to country).
The study took into account different organisational and professional levels in sport (e.g. international sports associations, national sports associations, international and national fan associations, official and unofficial fan associations, professional sports clubs, and semi-professional and amateur sports clubs).
The aim was to inform policy makers, sports associations, athletes and the general public. The main project themes were:
The project also included a gap analysis as regards availability of data on racist incidents and equality in sport. The analysis was based on data and information gathered by the FRA RAXEN information network and data collected by the contractor.
The project went far beyond the scope of previous projects on racism in sport that focused primarily on football and were concerned with just one or a few countries only. The FRA project instead covered:
The last decade witnessed considerable changes in Europeans' perceptions and awareness of racism in sport and the need for action. Indeed, open forms of racism and ethnic discrimination in sport have become a European issue. However, with some notable exceptions, there still seems to be a greater focus on open racism, mainly attributed to spectators, with less emphasis on more hidden forms of structural racism.
This project page was last updated on 17.00.2012.