21st October 2005

MSP's to Show Racism the Red Card

The Scottish Parliament Football Team will 'Show Racism the Red Card' in a special football match in Hamilton on Monday 24th October. MSP's will join with the Scottish Ethnic Minority Sports Association to take part in a fortnight of action designed to help rid racism from football and society.

Hamilton Accies FC have donated their New Douglas Park Stadium for the game which will kick off at 1.00pm and the event will also help raise money for the South Asia Earthquake Relief Fund.

The Captain of the parliamentary team Kenneth Macintosh MSP said "Racism and sectarianism are a blight not only on football but on our whole society. This game will show how football can unite us in tackling prejudice."

Scotland's first Asian MP Mohammed Sarwar who will help officiate the game added "I'm delighted to give this event my support and we are already encouraged by the response of people in Scotland to the disaster relief appeal. I am particularly pleased that this game will help raise much needed funds for the recovery operations that are now underway in Pakistan".