FURD
The FARE (Football Against Racism in Europe) Network has received the prestigious "Free Your Mind Award" at the MTV Awards in Barcelona. Barcelona stars Patrick Kluivert and Frank de Boer presented the award to Piara Powar, from England’s anti-racism group, Kick It Out, and Carlo Balestri, of Progetto Ultra in Italy; both on behalf of FARE.
The Award is presented each year to an individual or organisation that has made an outstanding achievement in the battle against intolerance and prejudice. FARE joins an illustrious list of winners of the Free Your Mind Award, such as U2 singer Bono, Amnesty International and Greenpeace.
By giving this award, MTV hope to raise awareness of social issues and the much-publicised problems with racism in football. The award is recognition of the campaigning achievements of FARE members.
FURD Project Co-ordinator Howard Holmes, along with Millennium Volunteer and Sharrow United captain Ayaz Khan also attended the event. Ayaz wiped the floor with Piara and Carlo when it came to chatting-up celebrities, and ended the night in a private party in P. Diddy’s hotel suite!
Ayaz is pictured here with Aaron Kamin, guitarist with The Calling, winners of the 2002 MTV Award for Best New Act, and performing a double headlock on Sugababes Keisha Buchanan and Mutya Buena.