The European Minifootball Association (EMF) is proud to support the FARE campaign against racism and intolerance in football.
To celebrate FARE’s week of action, the VI. Annual tournament of Bratislava minifootball league against racism and intolerance. It took place at Mlada Garda pitch in Bratislava on 20th of October 2013. This even hosted 12 teams with players mixed of majority and minority citizens that showed that it was a place of respect and tolerance. Around 100 football players at opening ceremony showed a red card to intolerance, racism and hatred.
Organisers were able to open this tournament with participation of district administrator of Bratislava region Pavol Frešo, singer from a Slovak band Para – Lasky, Romany musician and activist Vladimír Sendrei, who also played for team FK Roma Revúca.
The Ceremonial first kick of this tournament was done by ambassador of project Sport connects, different colors, one game that is supported from Norway with kindness by Alias Lembakoali with Slovakia representative Samuel Slovák.
Lembakoli took to his team Romany players, refugees living in Slovakia and other ex-internationals: Jozef Juriga and Roman Kratochvíl who still plays in Inter Bratislava.
“I thank Ali for the call. I was not aware that there is such an event, I really appreciate that I had a possibility to come and that through football people can connect even though they don´t have to seem the on the outside. Football gives a chance for people to connect from different religions and color of skin. I would be happy in the rules of football also transferred to real life” said Samuel Slovák.
The tournament got support from Slovakia Minifootball Association and Bratislava Autonomous Region. “I would like to highlight the organizations and participants who came today. It is important to send a signal to the public about what we think about racism. Especially to young people, so they would know, that racism is something you should say no to not only in school, but also in society” said district administrator Frešo.
Of course traditionally it was also covered by media. There were reporters from Markíza, SME, Digi Sport, daily paper Plus 1 deň, Corgonlika.sk, Slovakia radio and daily paper Šport. There was a new team from sport portal Takurcite.sk, who added to Congolese players to its team and in quarter final they were able to overcome team of Ali Lembakoali.
In the end teams from 1st and 2nd league of Bratislava Minifootball League were able to celebrate the first and second place. In a very strong competition the third place took a team Lions United F.C. who had African, Slovak and European students.
FARE’s initiative against racism within action week took place in 50 European countries this year. In Slovakia, other than Bratislava, for example in Veľký Šariš or Veľké Kapušany. Together between 15th and 29th of October there will be 12 events promoting tolerance and supporting the dismantling of prejudices.