Stories making the News

17th October 2006

Football aims to kick racism out of game

A Fortnight of action aimed at kicking racism out of football was being launched at the Scottish Parliament today.

By this weekend, players from every Bank of Scotland Premierleague and Football League team in Scotland will be united in calling for an end to racism in the game as part of the Show Racism The Red Card campaign.

Players in 35 European countries are involved in similar events as part of the Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) network, set up to tackle racism and discrimination.

Today's launch of the Fortnight of Action (October 17-30) was being attended by Tony Higgins, chairman of the Fifpro anti-racism committee, Labour MSP Bill Butler, Edinburgh councillor Dougie Kerr, Ged Grebby, the UK co-ordinator of Show Racism the Red Card, and Jackie McNamara of the Scottish PFA.

Gerry Britton, educational co-ordinator for Show Racism the Red Card, said: "This year's Fortnight of Action will see the highest number of events taking place since its inception in Scotland."

SPL executive chariman Lex Gold said: "Football should bring people together regardless of race, religion or ethnic origin."

Source: Edinburgh Evening News