CLUBS UNITE IN ANTI-RACISM DRIVE
The three Primera Liga clubs from the city of Madrid have signed an agreement to try and combat the growth of racism in Spanish football.
Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Getafe have signed an agreement with Madrid's regional government in which they have agreed to hold several acts between now and November 16, which is the international day for racial tolerance.
One of the acts will be a 24-hour marathon in which any team can take part with the condition that at least one of their players is an immigrant.
The city of Madrid has seen a growth in racial problems both in football grounds and in various neighbourhoods in recent months.
England's black players faced monkey chants from thousands of Spain fans in their friendly against Spain in the Santiago Bernabeu last November 17.
Real Madrid also received a hefty fine from UEFA after racial insults were aimed at Bayer Leverkusen players in a Champions League game - and only this week Spain's Anti-Violence commission asked for the club to be fined a further 3,000 euros - after members of their notorious Ultra Sur supporters group displayed a huge banner which accused South Americans of "invading us and killing us".
That was in response to a stabbing in the south of Madrid last week, which has provoked several outbreaks of racial violence in the streets of the city's Villaverde district.
Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid have been fined 600 euros on three separate occasions after sections of their fans aimed racial abuse at visiting players, while Getafe have also been fined twice for similar incidents.
"Madrid is an example of acceptance and integration for immigrants and sport should be an example for the whole world to see that Madrid is tolerant, even more so now before the choice of the venue for the 2012 Olympic Games," said Esperanza Aguirre.
Madrid president Florentino Perez, whose club sets aside a special area for the Ultra Sur, also supported the initiative.
"Sport in general and football in particular should serve to unite people and cultures," he said.
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