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Prevention or stopping the match


The existence of racism and discrimination in Dutch football was demonstrated not least by the first occurrence of a referee stopping a match in autumn 2005. It happened at the game between ADO Den Haag and PSV Eindhoven.

Otherwise, while far-right football fans are present inside grounds, they are silent for the most part. This could be the reason why there are hardly any clear approaches in Dutch football aimed at preventing racism in the long term. Second division club Helmond Sport are an exception. During the week of action organised by the Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) network they played in black and white kits with the FARE logo on the back. "No to racism" read the banner carried by the players before the kick-off.

Racism and discrimination are primarily expressed in the respect, or lack of it, with which migrants are treated. In the Netherlands there are over 100 football clubs of migrant origin. The Dutch Football Association (KNVB) therefore launched a programme called Football is more than two goals in association with all first and second division clubs.

Each club is to organise local, intercultural activities to emphasise that football is there for everyone, regardless of skin colour, religion, gender and sexual inclination. ADO Den Haag, for example, invited asylum seekers to attend a workshop with players Geert van Ouden, Spira Grujic and Youssef El Akchaoui as well as a first division game. Other clubs, such as FC Utrecht and NEC Nijmegen, are participating in a project called 'The Hero'. Players visit schools to talk about tolerance and respect, equal opportunities and social responsibility. Mohamed Allach of VVV Venlo is trying to counter prejudice and improve public opinion on Moroccan immigrants with his own foundation, Maroqui Stars. Among the activities organised by Maroqui Stars are school visits and an annual match between a Moroccan team and a Dutch side. In 2005 it was Sparta Rotterdam.