By Prensa Latina
Paris : The Unesco and Spanish soccer giant Barcelona have signed an agreement in Paris to fight racism and violence in sport, promote anti-doping techniques and education among youths.
Barcelona and the United Nations Education, Science and Culture Organisation (Unesco) will work jointly to end racism and violence in sports, fight against doping and provide education to youths, a statement by the UN body said Thursday.
Joan Laporta, president of Barcelona and Unesco General Director Koichiro Matsuura signed the agreement here earlier this week in the presence of officials from both sides.
As part of the agreement, the two will create a department called Unesco-FC Barcelona to study the social aspects of the sport, collaborate and fight against violence and use of banned substances to improve the quality of the game, said Laporta.
Barcelona’s star players, Leonel Messi, Ronaldinho and Thierry Henry were also invited to join the international coalition to fight against racism.
Delegates from Unesco and the soccer club will meet twice a year to plan the activities for the calendar year.