FIFA Fair PlayFIFA has launched a New Millennium appeal for FAIR PLAY in football throughout the world.

The message from FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter comes amid recent signs that standards have slipped in many sectors of the game.

In his New Year reminder for the need for everyone in football to respect the true spirit of the game and to set good examples to others, Blatter calls upon

  • PLAYERS to play the game without vicious fouls and arguing with referees
  • COACHES to put less pressure on their players to push referees to their limits of their tolerance
  • REFEREES to be quicker to deal with all acts of aggression
  • FANS to enjoy the game without abuse or violence in or outside the stadium
  • OFFICIALS to remember their duty to act with responsibility and integrity
  • MEDIA to condemn aggression and praise good sportsmanship.

"We hear more and more that football has become a business," said Blatter. "But if that's true, then the people with an interest in that business must also have an interest in making sure that their product remains attractive and fair."

"And football's attraction lies in its reputation as a beauty, not a beast."

"We must not let football become a victim of an increasingly aggressive society."

"Let's all pull together to make football in the new millennium even more beautiful than ever."