Catholic World News News Feature
Soccer hooliganism, racism condemned by Pope March 01, 2006
Pope Benedict XVI has condemned the displays of racism that often mar public sporting events in Europe.
In a message released on the eve of an international soccer match between Italy and Germany, the Holy Father encouraged the organizers of international soccer competition to promote racial harmony and respect for human dignity.
The Pope's message-- conveyed in a telegram to Bishop Claudio Magniago, an auxiliary in Florence, where the international match will be held-- strongly supported efforts by the Italian and German soccer federations to crack down on racist and neo-Nazi groups that have begun appearing regularly at major soccer contests.
European soccer crowds have frequently seen violent confrontations between fans and verbal assaults, often explicitly racist, on both competitors and fans. In England, where hooliganism has been a considerable problem for police, there were nearly 4,000 arrests at soccer games during 2003 and 2004.
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