Monday 27th October 2003

Racism gets the red card

Scottish Executive

Racism in Scottish football is set to be tackled by a full time worker backed by cash from the Executive and the Scottish Football Association (SFA).

The 'Show Racism the Red Card' charity has just appointed Roddy McNulty as the new Education Development Worker for Scotland to work with school children and football clubs. It uses professional footballers as anti-racist role models.

Scotland boss Berti Vogts and top SPL players Ronald de Boer (Rangers), Steven Boyack (Hearts), Gary Locke (Kilmarnock), Stephen Crainey (Celtic), Ulrik Laursen (Celtic), Brent Sancho (Dundee), Yannick Zambernardi (Hibs), Jamie McQuillan (Aberdeen) and Derek Whyte (Partick Thistle) are all backing the campaign.

Around 175,000 pounds will go towards the post, supporting educational materials for schools, posters and an anti-racism video featuring top stars from Scottish clubs.

The Deputy Communities Minister, Mary Mulligan, said: "Nobody should suffer because of their race, nationality or beliefs. Racism must not be tolerated. We support this high profile campaign because it will educate and influence attitudes in young people. It complements our own 'One Scotland. Many Cultures' campaign which highlighted the problem of racism in Scotland, particularly since one of the key targets for the next phase is raising awareness in young people."

David Taylor, the SFA's Chief Executive, said the new post would help to change attitudes: "This new appointment will help us to keep up the pressure on racism in Scotland, particularly to tackle the problem of supporters who racially abuse players from opposing teams or rival supporters. We are serious about this problem and I am sure that it can be tackled through an education led campaign which will use football to set a good example."

Roddy McNulty, Show Racism the Red Card's newly appointed Educational Development Worker said: "We are delighted that funding has been secured for this post at a time when racist attacks are increasing in Scottish society. Over the next three years, Show Racism the Red Card will be using the vehicle of professional football to combat racism. Education is the key to stopping racism in the long-term - we want to reach every young person in Scotland with our anti-racist materials and events. We also look forward to working with all people and organisations who are committed to ending racism in football and society."

The Executive is committed to tackling racism and promoting race equality and this was reaffirmed in the Partnership Agreement. The 'One Scotland. Many Cultures' campaign was launched last year. The second phase is being developed where the key themes will be raising awareness in young people and tackling racism in the workplace. www.onescotland.com

'Show Racism the Red Card' is a GB wide anti-racism charity. It produces educational resources and is supported by high profile professional footballers. This funding will enable them to employ a full time worker, establish an office in Scotland and produce tailored resources for work with Scottish schools and youth groups.

The Development Worker will develop links between the football clubs, football authorities and local authorities in Scotland. He will organise at least six high profile events at football clubs in the first year and work with the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) to run a schools competition. Once the programme is established, volunteers will be recruited and trained to work in schools.

A Scottish Advisory Committee will oversee the work in Scotland and produce reports for Show Racism the Red Card's' Management Committee and project partners.

The funding breakdown is as follows: £75,000 from the Scottish Executive (2003-2006), £25,000 from UEFA and the SFA (2003/04), £75,000 from Show Racism the Red Card's own reserves and funding in kind from the EIS.

Roddy McNulty graduated from Glasgow University in 1994 in politics and archaeology. He was active in the Anti-Nazi League before moving to Ireland to work as a Refugee and Asylum Seeker Integration officer. In 2000, he worked in Guatemala exhuming massacre graves from and recording survivors testimonies, before returning to Scotland to work for Amnesty International. In May 2003, he co-ordinated 'Scotland United', Amnesty's five-a-side football competition, campaigning against racial and religious hatred in Scottish football and society