No Room for Racism in Sports, Says UN Chief on International Day for Elimination of Racial Discrimination

Marking the 50th anniversary of the massacre of protesters taking a peaceful stand against apartheid in South Africa, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said yesterday that there is “no room for racist and xenophobic acts” at this summer's soccer World Cup in South Africa, the first time the event will ever be held in Africa, reads an official UN press release.

The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed every year on March 21 and commemorates the day in 1960 when police in Sharpeville, South Africa, opened fire on a peaceful anti-apartheid demonstration and killed 69 people.

On this “solemn anniversary,” the worst must reaffirm its commitment to “guard against a repeat of the horrors rooted in racism,” ranging from slavery to ethnic cleansing and genocide, Ban said in a message to commemorate the day.

This year's observance takes on added significance as South Africa prepares to hold the World Cup, and he stressed that the world has a collective responsibility to make sure that no racist or xenophobic acts take place, either inside or outside football stadiums.

“More broadly,” the Secretary-General said, “we must push for all sports organizations to adopt stringent anti-discrimination policies, as well as frameworks for punishing the perpetrators of racist incidents and justice for the victims.”

The International Day is also an opportunity to highlight the powerful role played by sports to bring people of all backgrounds and cultures closer together, he pointed out. “Sports can empower disenfranchised communities, influence our perceptions and inspire millions of people around the world.”

High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay echoed the Secretary-General's sentiments that this summer's World Cup provides an opportunity “both to take a fresh look at the issue of racism in sport, and to enhance sport's tremendous potential to undermine racism, xenophobia and similar forms of intolerance in wider society.”

In a statement marking the International Day, she noted that racism continues to be a problem in sports in many countries, and she urged sports administrators to follow the lead set by two of the world's top soccer authorities — FIFA and UEFA — to put into place campaigns to banish it at all levels.

Recalling “disgraceful” incidents at football stadiums where fans have verbally assaulted players on the basis of their race, Pillay pointed out that while FIFA rules allow for points to be deducted when clubs have not take appropriate action, national leagues often do not apply such rules.

“On occasions, rich clubs and rich national bodies have escaped with derisory fines of a few thousand dollars after serious racist incidents during matches,” she said, urging national football authorities everywhere to “back their strong rhetoric with serious and consistent disincentives, including stadium bans, and point deductions. Until they do so, the admirable goal of eradicating racism in football will not be achieved.”