14th October 2005

Scotland United for 'red card' action weeks

Show Racism the Red Card's second annual Fortnight of Action kicked off today (Friday 14 October) at Hibernian FC where 100 local schoolchildren questioned Hibernian FC stars from past and present on their views of racism.

The event launched Scotland's contribution to the Football Against Racism in Europe action weeks, 13-27 October, which includes action across 35 European countries calling for an end to racism and discrimination.

In total, 117 anti-racist events are taking place in Scotland over the Fortnight involving fans, footballers, black and ethnic minority organisations and young people uniting to hammer home the message that Scotland rejects racism in both football and society.

All 42 Scottish Premierleague (SPL) and Scottish Football League (SFL) clubs will be involved in anti-racist action on 22nd/23rd October, with major educational events also taking place at Dundee United FC and Hearts FC. Fans from clubs including Ayr United FC, St. Mirren FC, Partick Thistle FC, Hibernian FC, Morton FC, Falkirk FC, Dundee United FC, Hearts FC, and St. Johnstone FC have organised their own anti-racist events at games and in local communities to show their active support for the campaign.

Although problems do persist in the game, the charity has been encouraged by a decrease in the number of reports they are receiving of racist abuse in the professional game over the last year. SRTRC is using the Fortnight of Action to promote a similar concerted effort to stop racism in Scottish society.

Thirty seven projects have received SRTRC grants of up to £1,000 for community events during the Fortnight as part of the 'One Scotland' campaign from the Scottish Executive.

The projects range from multicultural football tournaments to banner design competitions, a 'Positively Black' photography exhibition, a multifaith Ramadan Iftari meal, and school equalities days to an intensive long-term anti-racist educational drive in South Ayrshire, organized by the 'Honest Men' Supporters Trust, South Ayrshire Unison and South Ayrshire Council.

175,000 SRTRC squad posters including Scotland mens and womens teams and all SPL and SFL 1st division clubs are being distributed to young people, and the new SRTRC Scotland video and education pack will be arriving in every school in the country.

SRTRC Campaign coordinator Roddy McNulty said:

"The SRTRC Fortnight of Action provides an ideal platform to build on the real progress that has been made in the educational and stadia-based aspects of the campaign. We hope that fans will again get behind the action at games and encourage people to visit one of the grassroots initiatives in their own communities. Almost everyone now accepts that racism in football is wrong - what's the difference between racism in football and racism in society ?"

Ex-Hibs captain Jackie McNamara Senior of the Scottish Professional Footballers Association said:

"All real football supporters will get behind the SRTRC Fortnight of Action. Racism is a disease both in football and in the rest of Scotland. The racist abuse and attacks we see on the streets, particularly against Muslims and asylum-seekers, show that racist views are still held by many - it's time that situation changed."

Hibs manager Tony Mowbray said:

"It's important that children are made aware of the anti-racist message as early as possible. The Show Racism the Red Card Fortnight of Action is an excellent initiative to send the message home that racism has no part to play in sport or in any other matter. Over the past few years great progress has been made in kicking racism out of football and long may that good work continue."