Five years ago, we wanted to extend respect to the supporters who, every week, in their hundreds of thousands, attended matches on the grounds of Europe. That is how the European Football Supporters Award was born in the shadow of the tragic circumstances that saw thirty-nine football enthusiasts die on the terraces of a stadium. It was, we remind ourselves, 29th May 1985 at the Heysel in Brussels.

Many years have passed. Football has evolved on the pitch for sure but also in the stadiums. The problems of security have been addressed by the public authorities in most European countries, the stadiums have been adapted (often renovated or rebuilt), the forces of order have been multiplied significantly. The violence, even if there was a utopian dream to eradicate it totally, has been diminished. Could we say then that ”all goes well in the best of worlds”?

The fact of the matter is that there is still a long way to go before football can be declared to have the atmosphere of festivity and conviviality that should be it‘s true raison d‘être. It was with that objective in mind that the European Football Supporters Award was created.

As its winners list shows, up to now it has rewarded various groups that have carried out actions against all forms of discrimination and intolerance. They have accomplished remarkable educational work among youngsters and even encouraged the access of minorities among supporters within football grounds. Recently, the promoters even discovered that certain of its actions could also have a social aspect. It‘s a result of which they have every reason to be proud. It is worth reminding ourselves that each of the prize-winners has benefitted from a prize of 6000 euros that has often enabled them to extend their activities.

Since its creation, the European Football Supporters Award has been financially supported by UEFA, which has not been short of encouragement, as well as by the City of Brussels. Leading personalities from the world of sport, like the President of the IOC, Jacques Rogge and the President of UEFA, Michel Platini, have added their backing. Recently the prize is also sponsored by the European Parliament.

The European Football Supporters Award is created in 2005 by the city of Brussels as a lasting tribute to the victims of the Heysel tragedy. In the meantime the award is embraced by UEFA and the European Parliament. Recently European Sports Media joined this partners of this award.

Every year a group of supporters anywhere in Europe will receive this award as a good example to promote fraternisation between opposing supporters and respect towards all participants in professional football. And more-over: combating displays of racism and xenophobia and condemning all physical and verbal violence.

The general objective is to change mentalities.

Previous winners are: Pena Multicolor (Spain), The Amalgamation of Northern Ireland Supporters Clubs (Northern Ireland), Genoa Club for Children (Italy), National Association for Disabled Supporters (England) and Media-Pitchounes de Toulouse (France). In 2006, special tribute was paid to the remarkable conduct of German fans at that year‘s FIFA World Cup. Every year until the end of October everybody is free to nominate a candidate by e-mail: info@supportersaward.com. At the end of the year the international jury will announce the winner.