A/HRC/19/77 the panellists, a compilation of best practices in the field of sport and racism in order to be able to identify gaps in this area and suggest relevant actions. 56. The Executive Director of FARE, Mr. Powar, emphasized that football was a mirror of society, reflecting the social climate of a particular society. Football was practised by people of different cultural and national backgrounds. While underlining the existence of racism and racism-based events linked to football all over the world, he explained the key role of football in combating discrimination. The actions undertaken by FARE to address this issue related to information-sharing activities, actions weeks and event organization. He explained that the 2011 FARE Action Week campaign had permitted the organization of more than 2,500 anti-racism activities in 41 countries in and around football grounds all over Europe. 57. Ms. Safronova of the anti-racism programme of the Zenit Football Club (Saint Petersburg) made a presentation focused on the actions undertaken by her organization to fight racism. She underlined the commitment of the Club to address racism issues and explained that, in 2001, it had implemented an anti-racism programme allowing football players to express their rejection of racism through jerseys and movies. Ms. Safronova also provided other examples, such as anti-racism campaigns in the streets of Saint Petersburg, the “red card” initiative and the official website of the Club publicly denouncing racismbased events, with the comments of players. She emphasized the institutional cooperation between Zenit Football Club and the City of St. Petersburg in the fight against racism and discrimination. 58. Underlining the differences between minority ethnic groups present in Europe and those in the Russian Federation, the representative of the European Union asked Ms. Safronova which minority ethnic groups were targeted by the Zenit’s actions. 59. The representative of Senegal asked Ms. Sofronova whether the actions taken by Zenit Football Club were to be extended to other football clubs in the Russian Federation. He also asked Mr. Powar whether FARE led actions to cope with the hooligan issue and whether the 41 countries covered by FARE’s actions were only in Europe. 60. The representative of Brazil inquired about FARE’s partnerships outside Europe. 61. The representative of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland inquired about future actions that could be undertaken by football clubs and associations to address racial discrimination. 62. In his reply, Mr Powar underlined the fact that the aim of FARE was to eradicate racism in European society. With regard to hooligans, he explained his organization’s commitment to tackle this issue while recognizing that there was not a necessary linkage between hooliganism and racism. 63. The representative of France provided some examples of actions taken by the Government to combat violence in sports. He stressed the elaboration in 2010 of a plan of action to address violence in stadiums, and in 2011 of a national charter for supporters’ associations to combat discrimination in sports. 64. The representative of the United Kingdom referred to the “Kick It Out” programme that aimed at combating discrimination and encouraging inclusive practices and work for positive change throughout the football, educational and community sectors, 65. The Deputy Executive Secretary of the Enlarged Partial Agreement on Sport, Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Directorate of the Council of Europe, Ms. Parayre, highlighted the important role played by sport in the fight against racism and discrimination and the promotion of diversity, in both professional and amateur sport. She stressed the fact that the main challenge lay in the contradiction existing between the values promoted by 10