March 02 , 2006
Pope Benedict XVI has called for an end to xenophobia and racism in football stadiums. In an appeal read out before the match Italy v. Germany on Wednesday night in Florence, the pontiff of the Catholic Church asked for respect and tolerance between players and fans. Football, as any other sport, had to contribute to dialogue, solidarity and peace. The appeal, read by Florence's Bishop Claudio Maniago, was received with a mixture of applause and jeers by the crowd. There have been various incidents in Italian soccer stadiums recently where players with a darker skin were offended by fans. Moreover, anti-Semitc incidents have also risen, and the words "ebreo" (Jew) and "forno" (oven) have appeared on banners carried by fans.
