FIFA will hold this year’s worldwide FIFA Anti-Discrimination Day in connection with the FIFA Confederations Cup Germany 2005 and the FIFA World Youth Championship Netherlands 2005 on 24-26 June. The event will be marked by activities designed to demonstrate a firm stance against racism, not only in football, but also in society in general.

Although rejection of any form of discrimination should apply all year round, the FIFA

Anti-Discrimination Day gives the football family the opportunity to join together and amplify its voice in condemning this blight on society all around the world.

FIFA will dedicate both semi-finals of the FIFA Confederations Cup Germany 2005 on 25/26 June as well as the quarter-final matches of the FIFA World Youth Championship Netherlands 2005 on 24/25 June to a special activity on the pitch.

At those matches and before kick-off, both team captains will read a declaration condemning and rejecting discrimination in football and society and firmly saying “no to racism”. Both teams and the match officials will also pose jointly with a banner displaying the unequivocal “Say No to Racism” message as part of the official pre-match protocol.

Given the large number of qualifying matches for the 2006 FIFA World Cup™ taking place this month and their importance, FIFA has also encouraged its member associations to help spread this message worldwide by joining this action and adopting the same declaration by the captains and activities on the pitch at the occasion of their international matches in June.

FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter said: “Racism is still rearing its ugly head in society and unfortunately, football is not immune to this scourge. Thankfully, we are not powerless against this blight. Sport - and especially football - has the unique ability to use its unifying power to combat social ills such as racism and violence, and FIFA, as the world governing body for football, is totally committed to taking steps to fight these pernicious trends not just on the pitch, but in society as well”.

In 2001, FIFA passed a resolution against discrimination which is now more pertinent than ever. Also, in response to the most recent outbreaks of racism, the FIFA Executive Committee, at its meeting on 7-8 March 2005, ratified the FIFA President’s proposed creation of a group of FIFA anti-racism ambassadors. This group, which will bring together some of the leading players and coaches both past and present, is headed by Thierry Henry.