CMS: HNS Needs Systemic Approach to Fight Racism in Croatian Stadiums

ZaMirZine

01 July 2008

On the occasion of the sanctions of Croatian Football Association (HNS) because of the racist and xenophobic incidents involving some Croatian fans during the recently completed European Championship, the Centre for Peace Studies (CMS) said that HNS should do more, since it has the power and responsibility for such an action.

The EURO2008 is an important event that extends well beyond the limitations of a sporting copmetition. UEFA has worked for a number of years to raise the awareness of European football fans on the damages caused by racism and xenophobia on football stadiums, to the effect that such behaviour is now totally unacceptable in European stadiums.

`The recent racist and xenophobic incidents of some Crotian fans proved once again the extent to which HNS disregards and denies the problems of racism and xenophobia among our football supporters`, says Gordan Bosanac, Programme Leader at CMS.

He reminds that as early as 2006, CMS proposed to HNS a systemic campaign to fight racism, xenophobia, neonazism and homophobia in Croatian footbal, and that negotiations on creation and implementation of the campaign were suspended suddenly by NHS, in spite of the interest expressed by the Association`s leadership.

`It seems that HNS was satisfied with cosmetic anti-racist slogans posted during international matches of the Croatian national team and several games in the national league`, says Bosanac.

He adds that only a systemic approach and work with clubs and fans, over the whole year, could give results, noting that the responsibility also lies with the great majority of Croatian fans who root with honour and passion in the stadiums in Croatia and abroad and distance themselves from groups that have adopted neo-Nazi and xenophobic ideology as part of their folklore.

CMS called UEFA to direct the funds collected from fines for racist actions to the funds dedicated to prevention and eradication of racism, xenophobia and homophobia.