MFA JOINS UEFA TO MARK FOOTBALL PEOPLE WEEKS

The Malta Football Association and other football federations in Europe have joined UEFA in marking the Football People weeks, an annual campaign coordinated by the pan-European Fare network.  This initiative uses the attraction and power of football to combat discrimination and celebrate diversity in this popular game. The two-week event, this year held between the 8th and 22nd October, unites supporters, clubs, ethnic minorities and communities affected by discrimination across the continent in a concerted effort to eliminate this scourge that is nibbling at the heart of modern society. During the period the teams’ supporters, community groups, clubs and leagues organise activities to combat discrimination and celebrate the power football has to bring together everyone. The event rallies all the UEFA Champions League and Europa League matches which are dedicated to the campaign. The Maltese association was also involved through the Malta – Croatia Euro 2016 qualifying match on the 13th October during which the message of equality irrelevant of colour, creed and background was shared. There were player escorts coming from different groups including asylum seeker youngsters, Special Olympic children and those from nurseries who took part in the ceremony which sought to drive home the fact that there are no differences in our society. The Malta Football Association believes that football, with its endless benefits, should be open to everyone. It takes every opportunity to go beyond words by acting in a concrete way. Through the association’s initiative awareness is raised that there is no place for racial and other forms of discrimination in football. The aim is to eradicate this malpractice that is afflicting the modern world. The association’s motto in this respect is ‘Football For Life’.