Stories making the News

01st October 2006

Kick Off for Fortnight Of Action and Black History Month

The official launch of a Fortnight of Action in which Scotland will Show Racism The Red Card will kick off in the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday, October 17.

Anti-racist events will take place across the country and involve schools, grassroot organisations and local authorities.

All Scottish Premier League and Scottish Football League fixtures on 21st/22nd/23rd October will feature anti-racist action.

Players from all 42 clubs will 'show racism the red card' before kick-off, and there will tannoy announcements, articles in match programmes and extra events.

Hundreds of amateur football players with their teams and leagues along with many supporters trusts will also be involved showing racism the red card.

First ScotRail, the train operator, will display Show Racism the Red Card posters on trains across the country, including its Turbostar fleet.

The posters feature both national male and female teams promoting the anti-racist message during the European-wide Fortnight of Action between October 17 and 30.

First ScotRail said it was delighted to help send out the message that racism will not be tolerated.

Gerry Britton, manager of Stranraer FC and Educational Co-ordinator for Show Racism the Red Card, welcomed First ScotRail's involvement. He said: "It is of tremendous benefit to our upcoming Fortnight of Action. It enables us to get our anti racism message across to an even greater range of the population in a distinctive and memorable manner".

A spokesman for SRTRC said: "Although great progress has been made in Scotland, we still receive regular reports of racist abuse at or around football."

Show Racism The Red Card's Fortnight of Action will be officially launched at the Scottish Parliament on the 17th of October.