27th January 2004

'Racism a major problem' by Anthony Brown

Gretna defender David Holdsworth has warned the Scottish Football Association and the Scottish Football League that there is still a great deal of work to be done to weed out racism in Scotland after hearing a team-mate being abused from the terraces.

Holdsworth's plea comes just two days after the Show Racism the Red Card campaign made a concerted effort to educate fans. With the backing of all 12 SPL clubs, the SFA and the SPFA, a strong anti-racist message was delivered by every first-team player before each top-flight match on Saturday. Articles in match programmes, Tannoy announcements and ballboys also helped promote the campaign, but Holdsworth says the message is not getting across.

The 35-year-old former Sheffield United, Watford and Birmingham player has been appalled by some of the racial abuse which has been meted out to young black team-mate Gary Cohen from the terraces at Third Division Gretna.

Gary Cohen, the 19 year old who spoke out in January about the racist abuse he was facing playing for Gretna FC in Division 3, also attended the launch.

I didn't think racism was as bad as this up in Scotland," said Holdsworth, who joined Gretna at the start of the season. "But since I came here there has now been at least three or four occasions when Gary has been subjected to some of the most filthy racial abuse I have ever heard from the terraces - most of it you could not print.

" I spoke to the Gretna chairman, Brooks Mileson, and we agreed that it was now time to touch base and highlight the issue. There is no place for such thuggery in this multi-cultural, cosmopolitan society that we live in. Something has to be done when a young guy like Gary Cohen, who is only 19 and trying to learn his trade 600 miles from home, has to endure such vile abuse from so-called football supporters. Nobody deserves to put up with that when they are trying to play football.

If the player, especially a young guy like Gary, has to listen to such personal abuse about the colour of his skin, then it can effect his confidence and the way he plays."

While the days of bananas being thrown at black players such as Mark Walters and Paul Elliott appear to be a thing of the past, Holdsworth believes that the authorities in Scotland should follow the lead of their English counterparts in a bit to improve the situation further.

"I don't want to name specific teams," he added, "but ironically some of the teams' fans who have abused Gary have had black players in their own sides. We've now played at every Third Division ground and because the stadiums are so open we can hear every shout from the crowd. Obviously, I get a fair bit of abuse about being an old git, or a London bastard. But I can handle all that. "

"The English FA and the PFA have worked hard down south to weed out the mindless thugs and ban them from grounds for life. I think it's time the authorities and clubs in Scotland realise it's a major problem and followed the English example by taking steps to boot out the yobs. "

"At Gretna, we've worked hard to ensure our supporters get behind the team and don't get involved in any personal abuse of footballers. Other clubs must do the same because racism is so unwelcoming for all the decent-minded people."

"Many asylum seekers make an important contribution to the communities in which they live and to Scottish society as a whole. We need to make every effort to welcome asylum seekers to our country and encourage them to become fully involved within their communities."

"The EIS and Scottish teachers have long campaigned for improved rights for asylum seekers, particularly regarding the need for all children of asylum seekers to have the right to access a proper education in our schools. The EIS is delighted to support this educational resource which will further highlight the need for improved rights for all asylum seekers in Scotland."

http://sport.scotsman.com/football_division3.cfm?id=100292004