19th September 2005

Glasgow asylum scheme kicks off

Racism against asylum-seekers is to be tackled by a new Show Racism the Red Card initiative in Glasgow schools. Former Partick Thistle duo Derek Whyte and Gerry Britton will be delivering high-quality football training to 9-12 year olds, alongside SRTRC anti-racist educational sessions designed to dispel racist myths against asylum-seekers.

The project, a partnership between Scottish Refugee Council, the Scottish Professional Footballers Association, Glasgow City Council, and Show Racism the Red Card will run in ten Glasgow primary and secondary schools over the next ten weeks. There are plans to expand the scheme to other areas of Scotland in 2006/2007.

Scottish Refugee Council Policy & Communications Manager, Simon Hodgson said:

"We are really pleased to support this project. The potential for football to break down barriers, on the field, in the changing room, and on the touchline is tremendous. We hope that the resolve and commitment shown at every level in tackling racism in football will be just as effective in countering prejudice towards people seeking sanctuary in Scotland".

Derek Whyte, who will join forces with former and current players to deliver the coaching, said:

"As footballers, we’re delighted to do whatever we can to give asylum-seekers the welcome they deserve in Glasgow. Players such as Zenedine Zidane, Dado Prso and Rudi Vata come from asylum-seeking backgrounds, and are great examples of what refugees and asylum-seekers can bring to Scotland’.

SPFA chief Tony Higgins, Director of Fifpro’s (world players union) Anti-Racism Committee, said:

"Our members take the racism issue seriously. The combination of top level coaching from current and former Scottish professionals, and the SRTRC  ‘Safe Place’ asylum video, featuring players such as Thierry Henry and Ashley Cole talking about racism and its consequences, is an ideal environment to educate young people about the asylum issue."

Roddy McNulty, SRTRC Campaign coordinator for Scotland, said:

"This scheme is designed to have a powerful impact in areas of racial tension in Glasgow. Refugees and asylum-seekers come from backgrounds we cannot begin to contemplate – torture, war and extreme poverty. We have a responsibility to recognise their plight through the warmest of welcomes, just as native Scots have received for centuries worldwide.

Many of the problems surrounding asylum stem from scare stories and racist myths. Show Racism the Red Card hope this project can go some way to changing attitudes at a grassroots level."

Richard Barron, Depute Director of Education Services, Glasgow City Council, whose teachers will be delivering the educational workshops said:

"Glasgow schools have a proud record of working to integrate asylum seeker pupils.  However, as our recently published racial harassment statistics show, racism still exists in our schools.  We are not complacent.  This initiative forms  part of a range of activities we use in schools to counter racism and encourage integration for groups such as asylum seekers.  We very much welcome the opportunity to work in partnership with Show Racism the Red Card, the Scottish Professional Footballers Association and the Scottish Refugee Council to deliver these workshops."