05th April 2005

Triple Boost

The Scottish Executive is increasing funding for Show Racism The Red Card as efforts to stamp out racism in Scottish football are stepped up.

The Press and Journal can reveal funding for the Scottish branch of the anti-racism campaign is to be almost tripled, with an announcement expected later this week.

Communities Minister Malcolm Chisholm has the task of tackling racism in his role with the Scottish Executive and, while encouraged by the improvement in Scottish football, Chisholm knows there is much work to be done to rid football grounds and society of racism.

He said: "Racism is an issue we cannot be complacent about and I am well aware it still exists in football. I was speaking to a colleague yesterday who was telling me he had heard comments aimed at players during a game recently. There is a problem, although it is certainly nowhere near the level seen in the 1980s.

"We have a comprehensive campaign aimed at many cultures and we are fully behind the Show Racism The Red Card campaign. We will increase funding for the campaign from £25,000 to £64,000 for next year as we believe it to be a very good campaign, which is working.

"It is pleasing to see so many players and clubs get involved."

Roddy McNulty, the Scottish co-ordinator of the Show Racism The Red Card campaign, is delighted at the funding boost.

He said: "This increase from the Scottish Executive is excellent news for Show Racism The Red Card and is an endorsement of all the work by footballers, fans, young people and organisations who back us.

"Racial abuse is on the decrease in Scottish football but racist attacks continue to rise in Scottish society with the latest figures showing Scotland to be one of the top 10 most dangerous areas in Britain for racist attacks. Professional football is a powerful medium to employ when trying to reach people from a wide range of cultural and ethnic areas.

"The funding will be invested in grass roots programmes aimed at reaching the growing number of young people in Scotland.

"Hopefully, the message can continue to be conveyed until the moment racial attacks and abuse are as sparse in Scottish society as they have become in football worldwide."

Aberdeen's Irish defender Richie Byrne admitted to the Press and Journal last week he has suffered racial and sectarian abuse in Scotland due to his colour and his religious beliefs, and he is not alone. Reading Byrne's comments have convinced Chisholm the good work which started with the launch of Show Racism The Red Card back in 1996, must continue so players such as Byrne can be free to enjoy playing his football.

Chisholm said: "We have a school programme aimed at promoting multi-cultural societies and we will strive to continue promoting an anti-racism message. The challenge is two-fold. We have to raise awareness of the fact racism still exists and we have to educate, too. The ultimate goal is to eradicate racism from society.

"We have made progress, in football especially, but there can be no grounds for complacency.

"The Scottish Executive is very much driven to ensure the improvement continues until such time racism is stamped out."