E/CN.4/2005/18 page 14 United Nations and some of its specialized agencies. Every year it organizes Anti-Discrimination Day, held in 2004 in conjunction with International Peace Day, on 21 September. In order to promote fair play and friendship among teams and supporters, FIFA decided that at the end of each match the two teams must line up and shake hands with one another. Mr. Blatter furthermore stressed that, under FIFA’s statutes, national football associations must prohibit racial segregation clauses. Finally, he referred to the adoption by FIFA of a global rotation system for the selection of countries to host the world championships, and to the decision to hold the 2010 World Championships in South Africa, which will make it the first African country to host this sporting event. Finally, the Special Rapporteur proposed that Mr. Blatter and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights organize a joint event to send a powerful message against racism on the occasion of the 2006 World Cup in Germany. He also proposed that Mr. Blatter promote the fight against racism in football at the national level by asking the federations to submit an annual report to FIFA on racist incidents and the measures taken in response to them. 37. In spite of the efforts already made, States and national and international sports bodies, including their managers, not only need to demonstrate greater commitment to, and vigilance in, the fight against racism and discrimination in sport, they also need to become more involved in awareness campaigns and activities designed to promote an image of interculturalism and multiracial integration at sporting events. These initiatives are particularly important in view of the recent rise in racism and xenophobia in sport. A tougher line is also needed against those who perpetuate and initiate these incidents. The Special Rapporteur considers that international sports bodies should set an example by taking harsh action against team managers or sports bodies which use language or behave in a manner that trivializes or justifies racist or xenophobia incidents. 38. The Special Rapporteur furthermore underscores the importance of the participation of civil society, including non-governmental organizations, in the fight against racism in sport. He noted with satisfaction the initiatives taken by Kick It Out, a non-governmental organization in the United Kingdom which for 10 years has been running campaigns against racism in football, in cooperation with sports and supporters’ clubs and ethnic minority communities in the United Kingdom, using the slogan “Let’s kick racism out of football”. The Special Rapporteur noted with appreciation the week of national action against racism which the organization held from 14 to 26 October 2004, celebrating the contribution of blacks, Asians and other ethnic minorities to British football. In addition to the celebrations, the public was also presented with information about the meaning of Ramadan and the history of the black people, in order to widen its knowledge of the history and culture of other peoples. There were also discussions on racism, identity and citizenship, with contributions from artists, writers and poets. E. The Roma and other groups 39. During his visit to the European Monitoring Centre for Racism and Xenophobia in Vienna,2 the Special Rapporteur was briefed on the activities which the Centre pursues to combat discrimination against the Roma. The Centre and the Council of Europe undertook a joint study on Romani women and access to public health, and EUMC is now preparing a study on the Roma in primary education. It also supported the establishment of the European Roma women’s network.