A/61/335 discrimination; the implementation of the “Football unit” project, through which people of diverse backgrounds and religions carried out activities against racism throughout the competition; the organization of activities by associations of football fans worldwide aimed at preventing violence, the promotion of social integration of migrants and ethnic minorities and the dissemination of information on activities by the far right and ways to confront them; and providing anti-racism training to the personnel working the matches. The Special Rapporteur also wishes to congratulate FIFA for the awareness-raising work carried out by its multi-ethnic “team” of ambassadors against racism, which includes the greatest former and current players and trainers. He also pays tribute to FIFA for its adoption of an amendment to its disciplinary code which provides for stricter sanctions against those involved in racist incidents, ranging from match suspension to point deductions or the disqualification of the team. 39. The Special Rapporteur also congratulated the European Parliament for its 30 November 2005 written declaration on tackling racism in football, which strongly condemns all forms of racism at football matches and calls on all other competition organizers in Europe to consider the option of imposing sanctions on national football associations and clubs whose supporters or players commit serious racist offences. The Special Rapporteur said he was convinced that these concerted actions, based on the principles of responsibility and sanctions for all stakeholders in football — managers, supporters and players alike — could reverse the spiral of racist incidents and demonstrations during competitions. Such actions would also help eliminate racism — of which these incidents are a direct reflection — in the societies in question. 40. The Special Rapporteur believes there is a need for close monitoring and clear determination in the implementation of these measures, together with long-term efforts to ensure that the founding values of sports competition, including mutual respect and dialogue, prevail over the rising values of nationalism and over-commercialization. Thus sport will be a determining factor in the promotion of pluralism and intercultural dialogue by its symbolic visibility and its capacity for mobilization. D. Field missions 41. The Special Rapporteur wishes to briefly inform the General Assembly about his visits to Japan, Brazil, Switzerland and the Russian Federation in 2005 and 2006. He would also like to inform the General Assembly that he will visit Italy in October 2006. 42. The Special Rapporteur would also like to inform the General Assembly that he has requested invitations from the Governments of the Dominican Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Mauritius to visit them in 2007. He welcomes the positive responses received to date from Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, as well as the positive oral response from Mauritius, and looks forward to receiving an invitation from the Dominican Republic soon. The Special Rapporteur, recalling that the Governments of India, Nepal and Pakistan did not respond to his requests for invitations sent in 2004 and again in 2006, wishes to reiterate his interest in visiting these countries. He hopes that, in the spirit of the Human Rights Council, in 06-51904 15