Stories making the News

20th October 2006

Dundee United FC and the ArabTRUST join 'red card' Fortnight of Action

200 Angus secondary school children from Montrose Academy helped Dundee United FC players Steven Robb, Keith Watson and Chris Jeffrey to Show Racism the Red Card at Tannadice today as part of the SRTRC Fortnight of Action, taking place across Scotland from 17th - 30th October. The Fortnight is Scotland's contribution to the Football Against Racism in Europe Action Week taking place in 35 European countries this month.

The event, the fourth the ArabTRUST has organised in partnership with the anti-racist charity, focused on racism in football and in wider society, using SRTRC's new video, "Asylum Scheme - Coaching with a conscience" which will be arriving in every Tayside school over the next few weeks.

The young people then questioned the stars on their views on racism inside and outside the game, and were treated to goody bags, a stadium tour, copies of Dundee United FC's new 2006/2007 anti-racist squad poster, match tickets for United versus Kilmarnock FC and a raffle for a signed strip and ball. Last, but not least, they met the first team players for an autograph session on their return from training.

Dundee United Director Derek Robertson said: "This is yet another major anti-racism seminar at Tannadice and compliments other anti-racist initiatives undertaken by the club. We are fully supportive of the work of SRTRC and once again, are grateful to ArabTRUST for helping to organise the seminar on our behalf."

Mike Barile of the ArabTRUST said: "I am very proud that United supporters are again playing their part in helping to focus awareness of this evil cancer within our community. We will continue to campaign together with all other parties to ensure its elimination from all walks of life sooner rather than later. Our continued involvement and active support demonstrates our long history of zero tolerance of racism in this city."

Gerry Britton, Campaign coordinator for SRTRC (Scotland) said: "Once again, the ArabTRUST are taking the initiative at Dundee United - this is crucial to the success of the SRTRC campaign in Scotland. The Fortnight of Action involves a record number of events Scotland-wide involving players, fans, black and minority ethnic organisations and young people all uniting to make a stand against racism in football and society.

Great progress has been made in stamping racism out of stadia in the last few years but racist attacks against Scottish Muslims have been recently rising. Dundee United players and fans are again playing their part today - we all have a responsibility to kick racism out of Scotland."