Mondiali Antirazzisti 2013

This is a report and a couple of pictures sent it to us from a supporter who recently visited Mondiali Antirazzisti 2013, the annual anti-racist football world cup tournament held in Modena, Italy.

Hereford United Anti-Fascists sticker

“The festival, which attracted thousands of anti-racist activists, anti-fascist football fans, teams and Ultras groups from around the world, was a blinding success and a great show of international solidarity and anti-racism.

The weekend included a local guided tour about the Partisans who fought Mussolini and his fascist troops, talks and displays on anti-racism/fascism locally and around the world.

The main event was the 7-a-side football tournament, with over 150 teams taking part. There was also music from Italian anti-fascist legends, Los Fastidios and 99 Posse, lots of drinking, chanting and pyro displays from some of the Ultra groups.

Links were made with locals from Modena and Bologna Antifascists and some from other parts of Europe.

It was great to see such a large and diverse group of people come together for one common cause, to have fun and and to remind ourselves why we fight fascism – a really great show of our strength. ¡No pasarán!”

“Racial hatred condemned by Cheltenham Town chairman”

“RACIAL hatred in football has been condemned by Cheltenham Town chairman Paul Baker after a Robins’ fan allegedly sent racist abuse to two black footballers.

Police have arrested and bailed a 25-year-old man from Cheltenham on suspicion of sending racist tweets to Northampton Town striker Adebayo Akinfenwa and defender Clarke Carlisle.

A joint investigation between police forces in Gloucestershire and Northamptonshire was launched on Wednesday night.

It comes after Northampton knocked Cheltenham out of the League Two play-offs over two legs last Thursday and Sunday.

Carlisle, who captained Northampton in both matches, is also chairman of the Professional Footballers’ Association and an ambassador for anti-racism campaigners Kick It Out.

In response to a racial tweet, Carlisle wrote: “Really?! You must make your parents very proud.”

Cheltenham Town said if proceedings continued and the man was found guilty of racist abuse, they would make an example of him.

Mr Baker said: “It is, of course, totally unacceptable and, if he is proven guilty, the club will be taking its own action to ban him from home games in the coming season.

“It’s not something we have discussed as a board as yet but we do take crowd behaviour very seriously. I think there’s a racist culture in British society per se and it comes out in various ways, including football. I don’t think it’s a football problem but a small collection of people who are intolerant.

“Things of a racist nature are totally unacceptable and football is doing what it can to stamp it out of the game and, fortunately, our club doesn’t suffer from this sort of thing.” The club last night thanked fans for their help in reporting racial abuse to the police.

A police spokeswoman said: “The 25-year-old man was arrested under the Malicious Communications Act. He was subsequently also arrested on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence of intentionally causing harassment, alarm or distress.

“The man has now been bailed.”

Link

“Banning order following fan’s racist outburst at Harriers game”

A FOOTBALL fan who made racist comments to a Kidderminster Harriers player has been banned from attending UK matches for the next three years.

Nathan Sprengel made the comments to Harriers striker Amari Morgan-Smith during the side’s clash with Alfreton Town at Aggborough last month.

The 34-year-old defendant, of Woodfield Road, South Normanton, Derbyshire, received the Football Banning Order after admitting racially aggravated harassment at Chesterfield Magistrates’ Court.

Sprengel, who was in the away end during the match, also received a £470 fine and was also ordered to pay £85 court costs and a £47 victim surcharge.

The abuse was reported to the referee in charge of the Blue Square Bet Conference Premier clash which Harriers won 3-1.

Shortly after the match, Morgan-Smith tweeted: “So was racially abused today when will this stuff stop.”

Both clubs were said to have “co-operated fully” with the joint West Mercia Police and the Derbyshire Constabulary investigation.

“We take the use of racist language and behaviour extremely seriously,” said Wyre Forest District Inspector Paul Crowley.

“It is completely unacceptable and, as this case shows, we will take action against offenders.

 “Both clubs have co-operated fully with the investigation as, like us, they understand racism has no place in today’s game and the importance of kicking it out of football all together.”

Article from the Worcester Evening News

“Teen fined for tweet inciting racist chant at Cheltenham vs Hereford FA Cup game”

“A boy of 17 who used Twitter to encourage football fans to sing racist chants has been fined.

The teenager, from Ross-on-Wye, admitted a public order offence and was issued with the £80 fixed penalty notice by police on Friday.

Hereford United Anti-Fascists

Officers said they were taking action to prevent racist incidents at the Cheltenham Town v Hereford United match on Monday.

A large crowd is expected at the second round of the FA Cup at Whaddon Road.

Supt Rob Priddy, commander of the policing operation for the match, said: “Gloucestershire Police, supported by Cheltenham Town Football club, will do everything we can to identify any individuals or groups that engage in racist chanting.

“Where we have evidence to support an arrest we will do so and the individual risks not only a criminal prosecution but also a Football Banning Order, which would last for a minimum of three years.”

He added: “The vast majority of supporters that come to our games at Whaddon Road are able to enjoy themselves in a safe and respectful environment, but sadly there is a very small number whose behaviour is unacceptable and is not welcomed by the football clubs and genuine supporters.”

Original news article here

Three Counties Antifascists hope that other fans of both local clubs join us in condemning the disgusting racism spouted by this young man. Far-right groups have often used football grounds as areas for recruitment, and as a result we believe that supporter-led anti-racist initiatives are important.  We have good links with a number of Hereford United fans and we’re working on links with some Cheltenham fans. Lets kick racism out of football.