14th September 2005

'Red card' video to go to every school in Scotland

Snow Patrol frontman Gary Lightbody joined top footballers including Jamie McAllister (Hearts), Colin Nish (Kilmarnock) and Gordon Marshall (Motherwell) today at the Scottish Parliament to launch Show Racism the Red Card's new Scottish-specific anti-racist video.

The video, presented by Shereen Nanjiani of Scotland Today, features top players including Nigel Quashie, John Hartson, Hamed Namouchi, Craig Gordon, Simon Brown, Brent Sancho, Craig Beattie, and managers Jim Jefferies and Walter Smith talking about racism and its consequences in Scottish football and society.

Speaking at the event, Minister for Communities Malcolm Chisholm announced that the Executive has purchased a Show Racism the Red Card video, and accompanying education pack, for every primary, secondary and special needs school in Scotland:

"Show Racism the Red Card is an important weapon in the fight against racism. The new video features Scottish football stars our children and young people look up to, so it's a great way of introducing these critically important issues in the classroom. Every school in Scotland will have a copy and it will help to break down the myths and stereotypes which lead to racism - so we can kick it out of Scotland for good".

Snow Patrol frontman Gary Lightbody added his voice to the 'red card' campaign:

"Show Racism the Red Card is a hugely important cause and today will only strengthen that. Racism is an archaic weakness that cannot be tolerated in today's world. The best way to tackle it is to ensure children are taught from an early age that it isn't big and it isn't clever. Every child in Scotland should watch this video from start to finish."

Acclaimed Scottish-Pakistani author Suhayl Saadi said:

"Racism stunts potential and ultimately debilitates even the most seemingly efficient of civilisations. It is imperative that civil society, in its very essence, moves systematically and en masse to eschew both institutional and individual racism in whatever form it might take. It is hugely exciting that football, as the populist sport, has taken the lead in this process. Show Racism the Red Card is a goal towards which we must all aim. One-nil to pluralism, empowerment and the pursuit of excellence in all things!!"

Scotland's national squad manager Walter Smith said:

"Travelling with Scotland you see the welcome our fans receive worldwide - the least we can do is show respect to the diverse cultures that make up this country. Show Racism the Red Card tackles the issue of racism in an intelligent way so that people can be judged on who they are not what colour they are".

Show Racism the Red Card also launched their Scottish website www.theredcardscotland.org, which features news, events, player interviews, and, for the first time, a reporting mechanism for racist incidents at all levels of Scottish football:

SRTRC Campaign coordinator Roddy McNulty said:

" These new resources move Show Racism the Red Card closer to our goal of reaching every young person in the country with our anti-racist message. Thankfully, racist incidents in stadia appear to be decreasing, but racism in society has increased sharply, including a 22% rise in reported racist incidents against Scottish Muslims following events in England in July.

Show Racism the Red Card hope as many schools, fans and individuals as possible will join us in using these resources - we all have a responsibility to kick racism out of Scotland."