In attempt to fight the phenomenon of anti-Semitism at European soccer games, Italian soccer players staged demonstrations against racism Sunday before the opening whistle of soccer matches all across the country.
In crowded stadiums all over Italy, soccer players went into the pitch before the game carrying big banners reading, “No to Racism.”
The demonstrations were carried out as an initiative of the Italian Soccer Players Association, in an attempt to send the message to a broad group of Italians, many of whom have manifested worrisome prejudices.
Italy’s soccer stadiums, as those in other European countries, have for some time been the scene of demonstrations in the stands by militant fans who have hurled anti-Semitic and racist abuse at opponents and who have waved neo-Nazi- style banners.
Tullia Zevi, president of the Union of Italian Jewish Communities, took up the issue several months ago with soccer authorities.
In a parallel action, tens of thousands of people took part in demonstrations in various Italian cities Saturday protesting both racism and anti-Semitism and commemorating a terrorist attack in Milan in 1969.
The marches were the latest in a series of mass rallies and protests against racism which have taken place in Italy in recent weeks.
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
