RESPECT..... FANS!
I DFF bakker vi op om den kampagne, Bayern München's Club Nr. 12 lancerede i går - del gerne budskabet:
Due to UEFA sanctions, four matches in the group stage of current European club competitions will be played behind closed doors, meaning that fans of both teams are locked out of the stadium. In none of these cases are fans of the visiting team guilty of any misconduct. Nevertheless, they are subject to the sanctions imposed by UEFA, meaning that they are denied entry to a match for which they have already made travel arrangements. While fans sought to enter into dialogue with UEFA in order to investigate alternatives to this unfair decision, UEFA declined any discussion with the affected fans.
Many organized fans in Europe can no longer accept the dismissive behavior exhibited by UEFA. For this reason, fans of various European clubs have launched the campaign "RESPECT ...FANS!". In the coming weeks, fans will rally in favor of a more respectful attitude of UEFA towards supporters. The rallying will begin tonight in the Group E matches: As a sign of protest, many in Manchester City's fan section plan to turn around and face away from the pitch during the Champions League anthem, symbolically turning their backs on UEFA. In Munich, fan clubs and organized groups of AS Rom and Bayern Munich will cover their banners with flags depicting the slogan "RESPECT ...FANS!".
However, fans' criticism is not limited to the lock-out of away fans. More generally, it appears that the vocal and colorful support provided to teams by their supporters is taken for granted by UEFA, while at the same time it is gladly utilized as a tool to market their 'product'. The interests of these fans, however, are blatantly neglected by UEFA.
UEFA's role in the banning of standing areas serves as an example of this. As is obvious to any observer, the atmosphere at European club competitions originates from fans who support their team while STANDING, usually behind the goals. Despite that, UEFA has been barring clubs for years from providing appropriate standing room sections, forcing fans to stand between seats instead. This practice significantly increases risk of injury during the match along with additional expenses and a decrease in overall stadium capacity.
To the initiators of "RESPECT ...FANS!", it is of particular concern to emphasize their explicit support of the quest against violence and discriminatory behavior. Punishing a majority of innocent fans in order to sanction the misbehavior of a minority, however, does not strike us as a helpful measure. For this reason, we urge UEFA to reevaluate the increasingly prevalent practice of closing individual sections or even full grounds to spectators. Improving the current situation will require an effort alongside with - not in opposition to - the majority of organized fans. UEFA's refusal to enter into discussion is the most counterproductive of all options.
Further, UEFA's prominently featured "zero tolerance policy" towards discriminating behavior by fans and spectators loses all credibility in light of leading officials advocating major tournaments to be held in countries in which homosexuality is being prosecuted by law.
We urgently call upon UEFA to reconsider their attitude towards organized fans. It is difficult to imagine top-level football in Europe without fans, but in the long run, European club competitions without UEFA certainly are a possibility.
Kilde: http://wp1165368.server-he.de/respectfans_en.htm
I DFF bakker vi op om den kampagne, Bayern München's Club Nr. 12 lancerede i går - del gerne budskabet:
Due to UEFA sanctions, four matches in the group stage of current European club competitions will be played behind closed doors, meaning that fans of both teams are locked out of the stadium. In none of these cases are fans of the visiting team guilty of any misconduct. Nevertheless, they are subject to the sanctions imposed by UEFA, meaning that they are denied entry to a match for which they have already made travel arrangements. While fans sought to enter into dialogue with UEFA in order to investigate alternatives to this unfair decision, UEFA declined any discussion with the affected fans.
Many organized fans in Europe can no longer accept the dismissive behavior exhibited by UEFA. For this reason, fans of various European clubs have launched the campaign "RESPECT ...FANS!". In the coming weeks, fans will rally in favor of a more respectful attitude of UEFA towards supporters. The rallying will begin tonight in the Group E matches: As a sign of protest, many in Manchester City's fan section plan to turn around and face away from the pitch during the Champions League anthem, symbolically turning their backs on UEFA. In Munich, fan clubs and organized groups of AS Rom and Bayern Munich will cover their banners with flags depicting the slogan "RESPECT ...FANS!".
However, fans' criticism is not limited to the lock-out of away fans. More generally, it appears that the vocal and colorful support provided to teams by their supporters is taken for granted by UEFA, while at the same time it is gladly utilized as a tool to market their 'product'. The interests of these fans, however, are blatantly neglected by UEFA.
UEFA's role in the banning of standing areas serves as an example of this. As is obvious to any observer, the atmosphere at European club competitions originates from fans who support their team while STANDING, usually behind the goals. Despite that, UEFA has been barring clubs for years from providing appropriate standing room sections, forcing fans to stand between seats instead. This practice significantly increases risk of injury during the match along with additional expenses and a decrease in overall stadium capacity.
To the initiators of "RESPECT ...FANS!", it is of particular concern to emphasize their explicit support of the quest against violence and discriminatory behavior. Punishing a majority of innocent fans in order to sanction the misbehavior of a minority, however, does not strike us as a helpful measure. For this reason, we urge UEFA to reevaluate the increasingly prevalent practice of closing individual sections or even full grounds to spectators. Improving the current situation will require an effort alongside with - not in opposition to - the majority of organized fans. UEFA's refusal to enter into discussion is the most counterproductive of all options.
Further, UEFA's prominently featured "zero tolerance policy" towards discriminating behavior by fans and spectators loses all credibility in light of leading officials advocating major tournaments to be held in countries in which homosexuality is being prosecuted by law.
We urgently call upon UEFA to reconsider their attitude towards organized fans. It is difficult to imagine top-level football in Europe without fans, but in the long run, European club competitions without UEFA certainly are a possibility.
Kilde: http://wp1165368.server-he.de/respectfans_en.htm