24 January 2017
“To maximise the distribution and awareness of this study and to convince other top sides to follow suit and act on the conclusions we have drawn.”
These were the words of Andrea Agnelli at the headquarters of Unesco in Paris on 27 November 2015 as he, via the trailblazing “Colour? What Colour?” Unesco project funded by Juventus, indicated his club’s role in tackling racism in football at a global level.
And, just under a year after presenting the dossier to the European Clubs Association (ECA) in February 2016, the Juventus President’s words have taken concrete form as the “Sin Respeto No Hay Juego”, a new campaign following up on the work of “Colour? What Colour?,” was presented in Madrid today.
The project, launched by Gruppo Prisa, in collaboration with UNESCO, is set to be adopted by Spain’s top-flight clubs, represented on Tuesday by Real Madrid President Florentino Perez and his Barcelona counterpart Josep Maria Bartomeu, with Nada Al-Nashif, UNESCO Assistant Director General of Social and Human Sciences, and Gruppo Prisa CEO Juan Luis Cebrian, also in attendance.
“The “Colour? What Colour?” report aims to analyse discrimination in sport at an international level and propose measures to encourage greater integration,” commented the Bianconeri president. “To achieve this we will need the support of everyone from sport’s governing bodies and its clubs, to its supporters. It is our duty to provide the best possible example for our followers. With the backing of all present here today, saying no to racism and taking steps towards greater integration and mutual respect in sport will be easier.”
Andrea Agnelli’s presence in Madrid marked a further sign of recognition for Juventus’ commitment to the cause of integration, a stance crystallised by the aforementioned “Colour? What Colour?” initiative.
“I would like to extend a special thank you to Juventus and President Agnelli,” added Unesco Assistant Director General Al-Nashif. “Your work over the past three years has inspired the creation of this unique partnership that has married our different cultures with the goals of our respective organisations Only through the sharing of values, strength of will, conviction and continuing commitment to this cause has this been made possible.”
“Sin Respeto No Hay Juego” has been brought to fruition by Juventus’ diligence in promoting its off-field projects at an international level, but also via the support and solidarity transmitted by Cadena Ser radio, with further projects targeted at 10 to 12 year-olds across Spain in the pipeline.
After all, only through the education of the next generation of youngsters will discrimination be replaced by respect, tolerance and integration.
