The Consell de Ibiza, in collaboration with the Football Federation of the Balearic Islands (FFIB) and the island’s town councils, has launched the campaign Basta de violencia, ¡quiero jugar al fútbol!, a pioneering initiative aimed at combating violence in the stands of grassroots soccer matches. This action responds to the commitment reached last April, after an increase in worrying episodes, with the aim of avoiding extreme measures such as playing behind closed doors.
A commitment to awareness
At the presentation ceremony, held at the Sant Rafel soccer field, the councilor for Sports, Salvador Losa, stressed the importance of involving the “silent majority”, that large group of fans who attend matches with exemplary behavior. According to Losa, these spectators have a key role to play in stopping any violent acts, acting and reporting if they witness inappropriate behavior.
The president of the FFIB, Jordi Horrach, stressed that such campaigns were already implemented in Mallorca and now come to Ibiza with the support of the Consell and municipalities. Horrach pointed out that, although violence affects only 0.06% of matches, each incident has a negative impact on sport and the values it transmits.
Elements of the campaign
The campaign includes banners starring children’s and cadet players from CD Ses Païses, with messages such as “Stop violence, I want to play soccer!” and “The result is not the most important thing; the values acquired are”.
These banners will be displayed before each match at the island’s soccer fields, and audio banners starring young people will also be used to transmit the message in those venues with public address systems. The aim is to keep the initiative active throughout the year, adding new actions in collaboration with clubs, schools and organizations to promote respect, inclusion and sportsmanship in grassroots soccer.
Commitment of all
The campaign Basta de violencia, ¡quiero jugar al fútbol! is presented as a joint effort between institutions and the soccer community to ensure that the beautiful game remains a safe and educational activity for young people in Ibiza.
