In September and October 2021, Changing the Chants, organised a series of national and European Multiplier Events. The goal of organising these events on antisemitism in football was to reach the football community and key stakeholders, to discuss antisemitism in football, share best practices and disseminate the results and work done by the Changing the Chants project and the partners. The event series was coordinated by Fare network and organised with the help of 11 host organisations. As part of the programmes the Changing the Chants guidelines, compendium of best practices and the documentary respectively were discussed to inspire clubs and organisations to take action. In total around 400 participants joined the events including representatives from professional and grassroots football clubs, national football associations, NGOs, Jewish organisations, educational institutions and fan groups.

 

The following organisations hosted an event:

  • LICRA (France)
  • Jupiler Pro League (Belgium)
  • Unione Italiana Sport Per tutti UISP (Italy)
  • Kolectivo Sur (Spain)
  • SC Aleviten Paderborn (Germany)
  • Holocaust Educational Trust (United Kingdom)
  • Dragones de Lavapiés (Spain)
  • NEVER AGAIN Association (Poland)
  • Ferencváros Football Club (Hungary)
  • Feyenoord (the Netherlands)
  • European Football for Development Network
  • Fare network

 

Audiovisual impression

Below is an impression of the events, hosted by SC Aleviten Paderborn, Jupiler Pro League, EFDN and Fare network.

On 12 September 2021 SC Aleviten Paderborn organised a workshop for young football fans (ages 14 to 25) on the topic of racism, discrimination and antisemitism in football. During the workshop, the participants where informed of the goals of the Changing the Chants project and then discussed a number of best practices that were published in the Compendium.

On 15 October Fare hosted a concluding session of the series of events with European level speakers including Lord Mann adviser to the British government on antisemitism, András Ligeti from the World Jewish Congress and representatives from Feyenoord and Chelsea FC and the Changing the Chants project. 

The Belgian Pro league hosted a seminar in Mechelen, Belgium, on 13 October 2021 in which a partnership between the Pro League and Holocaust and Human Rights Museum Kazerne Dossin was discussed. Football supporters in Belgium, who violate regulations regarding racism and discrimination in the stadium, can now be referred to a specific training programme as a part of their sanction. Guest speakers of Changing the Chants were asked to share practical guidelines and inspirational insights

 

On October 6th the European Football for Development Network organised an online webinar to raise awareness on discrimination and antisemitism in football. The webinar was attended by representatives of grassroots and professional football clubs and consisted of five presentations. Two of these, were on the topic of Changing the Chants. Niels van Muijden presented the importance and details of the project itself, while Marisa Schlenker talked about the practical use of  the Compendium of Best Practices as well as the Guidelines and Recommendations.