The European Parliament adopted a Declaration on tackling racism in football.

The Parliament recognises the serious incidents of racism that have occurred in football matches across Europe and recalls that one of the objectives pursued by the European Union under the EC Treaty is protection against discrimination based on ethnic origin and nationality. Moreover, it notes that football players, like other workers, have the right to a racism-free working environment, as set down in the case-law of the Court of Justice of the European Communities, and draws attention to the fact that football's popularity offers a new opportunity to tackle racism.

In this context, the Parliament strongly condemns all forms of racism at football matches, both on and off the field. It commends the excellent work that organisations such as UEFA and FARE (Football Against Racism in Europe) have done in tackling these problems, whilst calling on all those with a high profile in football to speak out regularly against racism.

The Parliament also calls on:

national football associations, leagues, clubs, players’ unions and supporters’ groups to apply UEFA best practice, such as the UEFA Ten-Point Plan of Action; UEFA and all other competition organisers in Europe to ensure that referees have the option, according to clear and strict guidelines, of stopping or abandoning matches in the event of serious racist abuse and to consider the option of imposing sporting sanctions on national football associations and clubs whose supporters or players commit serious racist offences , including the option of removing persistent offenders from their competitions.