Paul Elliot optimistic about challenging racism in World Cup
Paul Elliott expressed here his optimism about activities against racism during World Cup Friday. "I believe the football against racism, which takes a positive message from the top of the FIFA and German World Cup Organising Committee," said the ex English player.
The 42-year-old Elliott, whose origin is from Jamaica, said he had suffered bitter experience of discrimination when he was a player. "People said insulting words and threw bananas towards me," Elliott said, who had played in leagues of Italy, England and Scotland. FIFA announed today the football against racism during and beyond the World Cup, opened here with the first match between Germany and Costa Rica, together with German World Cup Organising Committee and Non Government Organizations.
According to FIFA press spokesman Alain Leblang, at each of the 64 games, a banner covering the entire centre circle will be displayed from the stadium`s opening until the end of the official pre-match protocol, bearing the slogan "A time to make friends" combined with the anti-racism message "Say no to racism". In addition, anti-racism video spots will be aired at all FIFA World Cup stadiums.
All TV rights holders have received five-second mini-spots at no cost for integration in their programmes related to the event. FIFA will also dedicate all quarter-finals on 30 June and 1 July to a special activity on the pitch to give the participating teams the chance to raise their voices against this blight on society in a message to be aired around the globe. The World Cup, with more than 30 billion accumulated spectators worldwide, is the ideal platform to send a clear rejection of any form of discrimination and to contribute to preventing racist incidents during the tournament.
The 42-year-old Elliott, whose origin is from Jamaica, said he had suffered bitter experience of discrimination when he was a player. "People said insulting words and threw bananas towards me," Elliott said, who had played in leagues of Italy, England and Scotland. FIFA announed today the football against racism during and beyond the World Cup, opened here with the first match between Germany and Costa Rica, together with German World Cup Organising Committee and Non Government Organizations.
According to FIFA press spokesman Alain Leblang, at each of the 64 games, a banner covering the entire centre circle will be displayed from the stadium`s opening until the end of the official pre-match protocol, bearing the slogan "A time to make friends" combined with the anti-racism message "Say no to racism". In addition, anti-racism video spots will be aired at all FIFA World Cup stadiums.
All TV rights holders have received five-second mini-spots at no cost for integration in their programmes related to the event. FIFA will also dedicate all quarter-finals on 30 June and 1 July to a special activity on the pitch to give the participating teams the chance to raise their voices against this blight on society in a message to be aired around the globe. The World Cup, with more than 30 billion accumulated spectators worldwide, is the ideal platform to send a clear rejection of any form of discrimination and to contribute to preventing racist incidents during the tournament.
posted by garrettmullan
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