Seminar on the “Promotion of Fan-coaching by public authorities” (Europa-Park, Rust, Germany - 6-10 April)

Statement by Terry Davis, Secretary General of the Council of Europe

Strasbourg – 07.04.2008 - Sport is a significant part of our life.  It brings together people from different races, different religions, different ages and different social and economic backgrounds. Sport plays a hugely important and positive role in our society, but it is not immune to its ills.  When it is free of racial and religious bias, sport contributes to both individual development and social cohesion.

But if we want to fight racism and xenophobia through sport, we must start with fighting racism and xenophobia in sport - especially among spectators. Regrettably, a small minority of people use sports events as an opportunity to display hate and prejudice.

At the Council of Europe, we work together with our partners for sport which is free of racism..

The 5-day Seminar organised by the Council of Europe with Europa Park is a very specific, down-to-earth and result-oriented initiative to prepare for Euro 2008 in Austria and Switzerland. I thank you all for being here.