Over 8,000 visits to The Red Card

There have been over 8,000 visits to the website of Show Racism the Red Card Ireland since its launch on February 27th 2006. Usage of the site has held up over the month .


There has been interest in particular news stories such as the incident of Samuel Eto and the On the Pitch action at the Shelbourne V Linfield Setanta Cup game on March 20th at Tolka Park. It appears that most users are logging on from personal as opposed to office computers.

While the majority of users of the site have been from Irish locations, there have been visitors to the site from all over the world- Argentina, Austrailia, Cambodia, Israel, Latvia, Turkey, USA to name but a few.

The website developers are Doop Design based in the Docklands Innovation Park, East Wall Road, Dublin 3. Technical Manager Brian Greene said: "These are very good stats for a site so young. It is now up to users and partners of The Red Card to spread the word of the campaign to ensure continued success".

Promotion of the site will be assisted by the events we organise and the launch of the three posters with Shamrock Rovers, Drogheda United and Galway United.

Co-ordinator Garrett Mullan said: "Until we achieve the financial resources to produce a DVD and have full time workers doing outreach visits, the website is a key resource enabler for the functions of our campaign and would take this opportunity to thank and recognise the hard work laboured by staff at Doop Design".

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FIFA Anti-racism meeting

Tuesday 28th March a meeting took place on Anti-Racism during the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany in the FIFA House in Zurich, at which General Secretary Theo van Seggelen represented FIFPro.



After an Introduction on the roles of the various organizations fighting against racism attention was given to The European Parliament Declaration on tackling racism in football.

FIFA president Joseph Blatter and the participants of the anti-racism meeting in Zurich

Subsequently a discussion took place on the planned activities at the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
Van Seggelen: ‘FIFPro vigorously supports all actions which contribute to eliminate racism from football. We also indicated in which actions we are already involved and to which extent we will be able to contribute to actions during the World Cup.

- FIFPRO has conducted research amongst its members in order to establish to which extent racism exists in each member country. The results will be announced at the FIFPro anti-racism seminar at the European Parliament on 31st May 2006.
- FIFPRO forms part of the UEFA Anti-Racism Working Party.
- Recent campaigns were launched in Finland, Denmark, Norway, Poland and Ireland, following support from FIFPRO.
- Six countries in South America have requested support from FIFPRO to launch campaigns in their own countries.
- FIFPRO sponsors Show Racism The Red Card.
- FIFPRO has been asked to arrange an anti-racist conference in South Africa


PARTICIPANTS
Joseph S. Blatter, FIFA President (Opening)

Dr. Doudou Diène, OHCHR, Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance
Claude Moraes, Member of the European Parliament
Emine Bozkurt, Member of the European Parliament
Dr. Beate Winkler, EUMC Director
Bernd-Uwe Hermann, German Ministry of Interior
Theo van Seggelen, FIFPro General Secretary
Daniela Conti, FARE Network
Kurt Wachter, FARE Network
Jérôme Champagne, FIFA Delegate to the President for Special Affairs
Federico Addiechi, FIFA Head of Corporate Social Responsibility

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BBC report on racism in Polish football

Brian Alexander presents a one-hour special report into the rise of a new hooligan element in Eastern Europe that threatens this summer's World Cup.

Brian has visited Warsaw, Krakow and Berlin and has met with a Club President, a Police Football Liaison Officer, a leading figure in the Polish FA, a German Minister and an extreme right wing Polish hooligan. There is a genuine worry that the Polish 'neo- fascist ultras' and the animosity between Polish and German fans will threaten security at the World Cup.

Listen live on Friday from 7pm or download the programme from-

http://www.bbc.co.uk/fivelive/sportonfive

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Coaching with a conscience

The 'Coaching with a conscience' campaign was instigated by Roddy Mc Nulty, Scottish co-ordinator of Show Racism the Red Card in association with the Scottish Refugee Council and the Scottish Professional Footballers Association.

The idea behind the project was to run a scheme in schools in the Glasgow area whereby school students would take part in a workshop with Show Racism the Red Card and be coached by former Old firm footballers for a session.



Racist incidences were from 386 racially aggravated offences in Scotland in 1999 to 2,965 incidences in 2003. Unreported incidences would swell these figures even further. Research studies highlighted that for children of black or minority ethnic background 'racism is a daily feature of life'.

Show Racism the Red Card aims to raise awareness about the dangers of and issues surrounding racism and using the profile of football it communicates its message through the medium of sport making use of the powerful role of footballers as role models.

The project 'Coaching with a conscience' involved a visit to 17 schools in Glasgow where the students would take part in a workshop with Show Racism the Red Card involving a showing of the video followed by discussion. This would be complemented by a coaching session given by ex Old firm players Gerry Britton and Derek Ferguson who would also spread the message in a more informal way.

Before taking part in the workshop every student was asked to fill out a questionnaire detailing the preconceptions surrounding refugees and asylum seekers. A very similar questionnaire was completed after the workershop. Teachers were also asked to fill out questionnaires detailing their opinions on the effectiveness of the processs.

Some schools had nearly 10% asylum seeking composition while others had none. In one school 46% of those surveyed believed that asylum seekers should not be allowed to live in Scotland. Another school with 5 asylum seekers but with a 30% ethnic minority composition revealed that 76% did not believe asylum seekers should be allowed live in Scotland.

Of pupils who responded negatively before the workshop as to why asylum seekers come to Scotland, 78% responded positively after the workshop while 71% of those who said they should not live in Scotland before the workshop said they should be allowed after the workshop. 92% felt their awareness had increased in relation to the issues of racism and asylum seekers through their involvement in the workshop.

The evaluation showed the unrivalled success fo the workshop in altering racist attitudes and raising awareness and the method provides a template of work to begin in this new exciting and changing Ireland.

More information on this project is available at www.theredcardscotland.org
The evaluation is available from info@theredcard.ie

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Rovers Show Racism the Red Card

Shamrock Rovers is the first club in Ireland to be a partner of Show Racism the Red Card. To mark this development, Show Racism the Red Card has printed 5,000 posters of the squad holding the red cards to racism. In a bid to win the support of all sections of society the club feel it is important to have a robust stand against racism.




It is to be shortly followed by similar initiative with Drogheda United and Galway United. In each area players from the club are lending their support to the campaign. In each borough schools, youth organisation and others are invited to bring Show Racism the Red Card to deliver seminars and combine this with involvement by players.

SRFC Director Mark Lynch: "We are delighted to say that we will have an A3 sized 2006 Squad poster for everyone at our next home game v Kilkenny City at Tolka Park on Friday 7th April. These full colour posters are free and will be handed out at the entrance to the ground just after the turnstiles.

These posters are part of the Show Racism the Red Card initiative that Shamrock Rovers is delighted to be involved with as a club partner with the PFAI".

Show Racism the Red Card co-ordinator Garrett Mullan said: "This is good for the club because it demonstrates to all that they are a club for all while it is excellent for our campaign because it spreads the message of Show Racism the Red Card".

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Building bridges through football

As the Setanta Cup completes the group stages, some managers speak their mind about this cross border competition.

Northern Ireland manager Lawrie Sanchez said: "Football has the power to build bridges, promote respect and bring communities together. We believe supporters are the lifeblood of the game and that sectarianism and racism should have no place in football or society. The Setanta cup is going some way to building bridges"

Shelbourne's Pat Fenlon said: "Last years final against Linfield was one of the best attented games we had all season. It showed how attractive a competition people think it is. People want to see big games and any games involving Linfield and Glentoran are inevitably big.

I have fond memories of playing with Linfield in the 1990s. Both Linfield and Glentoran are great clubs and the chance of meeting them is something I have looked forward to".

Derry City played their first competitive fixture against Linfield and Glentoran in 33 years. Manager Stephen Kenny says: "This is a great competition and the way forward for football on this island. Football has moved forward by focusing on competitive games in areas with large populations".

Setanta Cup holders Linfield manager David Jeffrey told us: "Winning the first Setanta Cup was an enormous boost to our club and the cup itself is a fantastic competition and has added an extra dimension to our season. We have been well received at Eircom league clubs and while we can build further bonds we are keen to defend our trophy".

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Spotlight on a nation- The Polish in Ireland

Aneta Antczak with a copy of Polska Gazeta


The Polish are the biggest non- Irish group living in Ireland numbering in the region of 130,000. In the first of a series of features on Irelands new communties, Show Racism the Red Card co-ordinator Garrett Mullan visited the offices of Polska Gazeta on Dublin’s Parnell St to speak with Aneta Antczak of Ireland’s first Polish weekly newspaper.



Polska Gazeta

The Polska Gazeta now has a circulation of 7,000 per week and it is not sold in one major newsagent. It has had to rely on its own network of street sellers, stalls and Polish shops. Noticing the increasing presence of this newspaper, I was interested to find out what articles Polish people living in Ireland like to read.

The paper founded in May 2005, by seasoned newspaper professionals in Poland Monika Wieczorek and Marius Garski enabled them to give up their jobs in construction and work in the professions they trained at in Poland. The paper serves the needs of Polish living and working in Ireland. I asked Ms Antczak to show me what articles are in the current issue of the paper from front to back.

Show Racism the Red Card

She was keen to show me articles from previous issues about the Show Racism the Red Card campaign launch at Tolka Park and also an article on the anti-racism campaign being established by the Polish players union showing that the message is reaching both Irish and Polish in this country.

Advice

In the current issue there are features on the multilingual Drive Safety campaign leaflets inside the front page feature on the new radio station Sunrise FM which broadcasts 5 hours of material of interest to the Polish community living in Dublin. There are articles on a workers rights conference organised by SIPTU and the ICTU in Cork alongside legal, finance and tax Q&A columns assuring readers of their entitlements. There is also an article detailing the procedures for opening a bank account. There is a column from the Polish chaplaincy alongside a feature by two Polish Dominicans who climbed Croagh Patrick on March 17th. In addition to all this the paper keeps its readers informed of major events back home.

Problems

In the letters page there is a complaint by a reader that he went to a FAS job centre looking for work and was given the details of an employer. The reader turned up for interview and was advised that there was work but that he would have to pay 800euro up front to get the job.

Antczak says “Polish people now are finding it more difficult to get jobs in Ireland as compared to one year ago. Then it would take on average one or two weeks but now it is taking one or two months”

Living in Ireland

While there are large numbers of Polish working in construction and catering there are also significant numbers in the finance sector in Ireland. When they arrive many stay in B&B accommodation or in hostels while they look for work before renting accommodation. Some have bought their own accommodation as they plan to stay for longer. They are evenly distributed through the country though the number of Polish shops, pubs and clubs in urban areas allows the community to thrive.

There is still a sense of dislocation from home in that no video library stocks Polish films and no public library stocks Polish books. Yet there is massive demand for Polish culture as evidenced by the classified and feature adverts in Polska Gazeta. Upcoming are gigs with Polish comics at the Laughter Lounge on Eden Quay and in the Garda club in Dublin, while elsewhere are music gigs at the Village in Wexford St.

While most Polish are happy to be living in Ireland there are some who are unhappy particularly about their treatment at work and the difference between Polish and Irish wages for the same work. I asked what readers thought about the recent Irish ferries dispute where the company laid off 500 Irish workers to replace them with Latvians at minimum wage levels.

Antczak says “The Polish like Latvians would like absolute equal treatment as members of EU. Our readers feel that it is not fair or legal to discriminate. There is no difference between consideration of employees for a terrestrial job and a marine one.

Sport coverage

The Paper covers the Eircom League and has an article in a previous issue about the efforts of Bohemians to win a non-Irish support base through its multilingual website. As for GAA, Ms Antczak says “We believe it is a fantastic game. With time you will see Polish people laughing and making idiots out of themselves in parks, soon after that they will be proud to play them. The Poles love new experiences”.
This thought leaves me with the view that encouraging foreign nationals to play GAA is far more likely to support the internationalisation of the sport than Compromise Rules.

Overall the paper and the pub Zogloba below its offices left me with the view Polish migrants are well served by the Gazeta as it provides great access to job searching, concrete practical advice as well as information about Polish cultural life in this country. Of course I have not yet spoke to Sergey Tarutin editor of NASHA GAZETA, Ireland’s Russian paper who will appear in next weeks spotlight on a nation in Ireland.

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Monitoring of racist incidences in Irish Republic needs to be stepped up

This week the NCCRI (National Consultative Committee on Racism and Interculturalism) launched a handbook on Seeking Advice and Redress Against Racism in Ireland.


In the January to June period of 2005, 81 racist incidences were reported to the NCCRI. 73% happened in the greater Dublin area. Statistics reveal that racism is occuring regardless of people's legal status. Refugees and asylum seekers, Irish, EU citizens and non EU citizens are experiencing racism. They also reveal an upward trend from 46 in 2003, 70 in 2004 to 81 in 2005.

In the UK over 52,000 racist incidences were recorded in 2004 with the Commission for Racial Equality. The discrepancy in recording between Ireland and the UK indicates serious under reporting in Ireland. The NCCRI handbook will go some way to addressing under reporting but there remains the need for adequately resourced research facilities.

Currently there only €1m allocated to the National Action Plan on Racism in Ireland. This is another indication that the government is failing to address the issues arising from the massive demographic changes over recent years.

Good policy can only be informed by good research. There remains a gap in both concerning the Irish government's response to racism and recording of incidences. Show Racism the Red Card has a report mechanism on its website and it is hoped that this will contribute to the work of the NCCRI's racism record procedures.

The website was launched on February 27th at Tolka Park. Further local initiatives to publicise awareness of this mechanism are being undertaken in a pilot project with Drogheda United, Galway United and Shamrock Rovers in partnership with local schools in these areas.

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Community group tackles Antrim's shocking racism levels

By Jonathan McCambridge and Emily Moulton (Sunday Life)

22nd March 2006

An Antrim community group has become the first in Northern Ireland to declare war on the racist thugs who are terrorising migrant communities across the borough.



Springfarm and District Community Association has unveiled a detailed document designed to halt the relentless growth in hate crime in one of the most racist towns in the province.

New figures reveal in the five years from 2001 there were 881 racial attacks in Northern Ireland, with a shocking 20% taking place in Antrim.

With that number accelerating, the Springfarm Association sought funding from the Community Relations Council and enlisted the services of a top team of English consultants to lead the trail-blazing scheme.

Arlington Trapman, who worked closely with the Damilola Taylor Trust, set up after the 10-year-old schoolboy died in a brutal race attack in November 2000, oversaw the seven-month project and became a regular visitor to the town.

His findings were published yesterday at a launch coinciding with the start of Community Relations Week.

The final report is a searing indictment of the lack of support for migrant workers struggling to start a new life in the province.

While it centres on Springfarm, Antrim's most ethnically diverse estate, the authors believe that it highlights a much wider malaise.

Seamus Davis, chairman of Antrim Community Forum, the Community Partnership and the Springfarm Association, believes the report provides some "very timely food for thought".

"In many ways it speaks for itself and I believe it is a starting point to removing the cancer of racism from this community," he said.

"With more and more people arriving each month, this is an issue which will not simply go away."

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Indian cricketer's ordeal is among shameful tally of cases

Indian cricketer's ordeal is among shameful tally of cases

By Jonathan McCambridge and Emily Moulton (Sunday Life)

22nd March 2006

When the man complained to Sion Mills Cricket Club in Co Tyrone about the racism, he was victimised, the Equality Commission said.

The cricketer received £6,000 in compensation from the club.

The club also expressed its regret for any hurt or distress suffered by the player and reaffirmed its commitment to equality of opportunity.

The case was one of a series of cases highlighted by the Equality Commission on International Day Against Racism.

Four cases resulted in settlements totalling just over £40,000 - with one complainant receiving £25,000 from a computer company.

Eileen Lavery, head of strategic enforcement at the commission said: "The four cases reveal continuing difficulties in the workplace including allegations of harassment, non-recruitment and unfair dismissal."

The settlements had resulted in significant financial settlements for the complainants but, most importantly, all had helped make working conditions better for others, as the employers involved had undertaken a review of their policies and procedures with the commission.

She revealed that approximately 155 of all applications made to the Equality Commission for assistance in taking cases cited race as the grounds for discrimination.

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Linfield and Shelbourne Show Racism the Red Card

Both Shelbourne and Linfield delivered a blunt message following racist chanting towards Cameroon international Joseph Ndo of Shelbourne at Windsor Park last week.


On Monday night Shelbourne and Linfield in front of a massive crowd and on television made their views on racism and sectarianism known. Officials held a banner 'Linfield FC against racism' while the players held up the cards to Show Racism the Red Card. This initiative was the response of both the clubs to a minority of attendees at last weeks game. It is also noteworthy that International Anti-racism day was marked at such an occasion.









It is heartening that clubs are taking an energetic stand on the issue. The announcer stated for the crowds attention 'Shelbourne and Linfield are opponents on the pitch, but together they are united to Show Racism the Red Card' at which point the players held the cards aloft. Ireland's new communties represent enormous potential for the Eircom League. It is important that clubs and the league are taking a proactive stance on racism.








Unfortunately some took the notion of red cards a step to far with both teams being reduced to ten men each with the sending off of Linfield's Paul Mc Areavey and Shelbourne's Colin Hawkins in the game which ended leaving Shelbourne with a chasing second place in their group of the Setanta Cup.

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I was called a black fenian- Mark Rutherford

Mark Gallagher (Ireland On Sunday Soccer Correspondent)

MARK Rutherford ran into Tolka Park old-timers last week, men who remembered him as the callow teenager that first arrived on these shores as a Birmingham City loanee in the early nineties.


'They said to me "are you still around?" When I first came to Shelbourne, it was only meant to be a holiday, it was only a one-month loan spell. That one month has become 14 years.'

Fourteen years and still there are new chapters to write. When the Eircom league's fourth season of summer soccer begins this coming Friday, Rutherford will be part of the St Patrick's Athletic team that play Waterford United at Richmond Road, meaning he will have played for all four major Dublin clubs.

Summer soccer isn't the only change Rutherford has witnessed in the past decade and a half. The league is unrecognisable from what he once knew. He recalls his early Shelbourne days, being unable to sprint down the wing because the pitches were swamps.

'Yeah, the pitches have got a lot better,' the winger laughs. 'When I first came over, we would play on some really dreadful pitches.

'Pitches where you would be up to your knees in mud and it was impossible to dribble on. I played in an awful lot of games that should have been called off. Surfaces have really improved, there is not that many games called off anymore.'

Surfaces and the football quality might have improved, but the crowds have barely improved, something that has continually frustrated Rutherford throughout his career. 'When you play in a Dublin derby, there is a full house, but then the next week, the stands are all empty again and you just wonder where these people go.

'Some clubs have great support, Cork, I just love going down there for the atmosphere and Drogheda are building a good sort of community spirit with this club. That's the one thing that I would love to see changing, more people coming to the games.'

One of the other major changes is that Rutherford no longer stands out because of the colour of the skin. In the early nineties, he was one of the few black players and was back in Tolka last week to relate those experiences to kids in the launch of Show Racism the Red Card campaign in Ireland.

The racism, what there was of it, always came from the terraces. He never experienced it on the pitch. And some clubs were worst than others. 'I used to get ! some stick when I first came into the league. Some clubs were bad. Dundalk for some reason were probably the worst. Going to Oriel Park, you were always called all kinds of racist names.

'It was only a minority, and I even remember going to Dalymount Park once, before I played with Bohs, and getting some stick there. But it was usually only 20 or 30 fans, people just thinking of ways to put you off your game. It never did, though. For a lot of fans back then, it was probably their first experience of seeing a black player.'

Although this is currently a country wrestling with its conscience over race, Rutherford doesn't feel it is a problem within the domestic game. 'It was always a minority. Perhaps I should have done more when I first encountered it, but I was young and naive, so I let it go. In hindsight, I should have complained but I didn't.'

He wonders, though, if that would have made much difference and cites the example of Russell Payne, when he was keeper of Rovers, complaining to the league about receiving racist abuse and nothing been done to the offending club.

'It is not really that much of a problem anymore. Last season, I didn't hear anyone chanting anything. A couple of seasons ago, you would hear the odd shout. But I remember being at Richmond Park, I think, a few years ago and some supporters chanting something and other people in the crowd turned around and stood up to them. That's what we need, people to confront them.'

Of course, Rutherford arrived into a different Dublin. These days, as he walks around Lucan, where he lives with his partner Melaine and their twin girls, nobody gives him a second glance. It was a different story in 1991. 'Yea, when I first came over, you could go two or three days without seeing another black guy. If I saw another black guy on the street, they would stare at me. I remember being on the bus, and these little kids, five and six years old, staring at me.'

Rutherford grew to become a cult hero at Shelbourne, helping their club to their first league title in 30 years in his very first season. Ollie Byrne, who had moved Rutherford into a home with friends of his in Tallaght, rewarded the winger with a decent contract.

'Ollie convinced me to stay. I owe him everything,' Rutherford says of the larger-than-life Shels chairman. 'It is because of him that I am 14 years here. People see the bad side to him but they miss the good side, Ollie has a big heart and looks after people.'

There followed seven years pockmarked by the odd success and some failures. Twice, the Tolka outfit lost the league on the last day. He won a couple of cup finals, lost a couple of cup finals and played almost 20 times in Europe with the Drumcondra club.
‘Shelbourne was my best experience. I was there for seven years, enjoyed every minute of it.' Rutherford even nabbed a goal against Rangers in the UEFA Cup when Shels famously went 3-0 up before disintegrating and conceding five goals in 20 minutes.

A couple of seasons in the north with Newry Town followed, where Rutherford experienced the unique racist chant of 'you black Fenian bastard' before Roddy Collins brought him back down south-for a season Bohemians fans will never forget.

Fifteen points behind Shelbourne in the league when the foot-and-mouth crisis hit, Collins instigated an intensive training programme at Dalymount. They returned to not lose a game and snatch the title. Another league title followed under Stephen Kenny before Rutherford was lured by the history and tradition of Shamrock Rovers. Last season, of all his seasons in the league, leaves the biggest knot in his throat when he talks about how a proud club has fallen.

'That was just a bad experience, on and off the field. The way things were run affected the players. The club was in such a state. Last season was the lowest point of my career. It is still hard to believe that they won't be in the top division. It is great that the supporters have taken control of things there.

In Pat's, he's joined a team in transition. Since being deducted 15 points in 2002, over the Charles Livingstone Mbazaki debacle, a punishment that cost them the league, the club have been in a tailspin, riddled with debt.With the capture of Rutherford and the return of Trevor Molloy, they hope to turn a corner. The winger has been in the league long enough to know that every season throws up a surprise package.

He has taken quite a journey on this prolonged holiday and it's not over yet. Occasionally, he casts his mind back to the time he was in the England under-18 squad alongside the likes of Chris Sutton, Steve McManaman and Andy Cole.

'That was a great experience, although Bobby Robson was coaching us and I was never as terrified in all my life. I look at that team, most of them are millionaires now.'

He is not one to focus on what might have been, he was on standby for Jamacia in the 98 World Cup. Instead, looking forward to what can be for St Pat's, just to make his mark on yet another Dublin club.

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Ireland's Latvian mushroom pickers

By John Burns (Sunday Times)
IT COULD be Ireland in the 1980s: a brain drain of talented young people leaving their families and their country to seek higher pay and a better life abroad.

But this time it is Latvia, as thousands of its people flock to Ireland in search of jobs picking mushrooms. It is estimated that in some rural villages up to one-third of the inhabitants have left for back-breaking work in the republic.


The exodus is the theme of a best-selling book written by one of the mushroom pickers, a mother of four who shared a three-room house near Dublin with 11 other Latvians and picked mushrooms from dawn to dusk.

Laima Muktupavela says the Irish farm-owner told Latvian workers not to wear gloves, and the mushrooms eventually turned their fingers black. She earned about €250 a week, more than four times the minimum wage in Latvia.

Muktupavela’s book about her experiences, The Mushroom Covenant, has captured the Latvian zeitgeist, as well as being a bestseller and winning a literary award. There is a growing fear that Latvia is losing its best young talent to Ireland, leaving gaps in the workforce at home and a shortage of key personnel, such as doctors.

“There is hardly a family left in this country who hasn’t lost a son or daughter or mother or father to the mushroom farms of Ireland,” Muktupavela, 43, told the International Herald Tribune last week.

“During the cold war, we all dreamed of leaving but the risk is that if everyone leaves, then the country will disappear.”

Muktupavela credits her experience in Ireland with making her a more independent person. Now writing her fifth novel, and working on a film about migration, she is considering buying a house near an Irish mushroom farm.

She points out that Latvia’s experience is similar to Ireland’s in previous generations, but believes the new EU member can turn it around as Ireland did. “Twenty years from now it is the Irish who will be flooding into Latvia and not the other way around,” she said.

Jekabs Nakums, a Latvian athlete who represented his country in the Olympics, reopened the debate within Latvia by announcing recently on television that he was leaving to wash cars in Ireland.

In the Latgale region of eastern Lativa, parents who emigrate sometimes leave children behind creating a generation of “mushroom orphans”.

Since Latvia joined the EU in May 2004, its people are free to travel to other member states in search of work. It is estimated that there are between 20,000 to 30,000 Latvians and Lithuanians in Ireland. There are doubts over the exact figure because there are many illegal or unregistered cases.

While Ireland and Britain worry about the influx of workers, Latvia, with a population of just 2.3m, is increasingly concerned about losing so many of its people. Latvian officials have estimated that between 50,000 and 100,000 people have left since accession in May 2004, a rate of departure that puts Irish emigration in the 1950s and 1980s in the shade.

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SPAIN DRAFTS LAW TO COMBAT RACISM IN SPORT

The proposals will become law in around six months, include fines of up to 650,000 euros ($792,700) for individuals, and bans from attending sporting events.



Spain's government has drafted a law to help combat racism in sport that threatens tougher fines, points deductions and even relegation for football clubs in serious cases. "I hope we never have to use them but it will be a warning to everyone that they could be applied," Spanish sports minister Jaime Lissavetzky was quoted as saying in sports daily AS on Sunday.

"They would be the ultimate sanctions. To apply them we would have to be absolutely sure we were doing the right thing." The proposals, which Lissavetzky hopes will become law in around six months, include fines of up to 650,000 euros ($792,700) for individuals, and bans from attending sporting events. Fines for clubs would reach a maximum of 90,000 euros ($109,760).

Racism in Spanish football hit the headlines again last month when Barcelona's Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o tried to walk off the pitch during a Primera Liga match, after being abused by Real Zaragoza fans. The player was persuaded to stay and complete the game and Zaragoza were fined 9,000 euros ($10,960) by the Spanish Football Federation. A number of other clubs including Atletico Madrid, Malaga and Getafe have been fined over the last two years after fans directed racist abuse at visiting players. In 2004 England's black players were targeted with abuse during an international friendly against Spain in the Bernabeu stadium in Madrid.

Last Thursday FIFA announced tough sanctions for incidences of racism in football which included match suspensions, the deduction of points, relegation or elimination from competitions. Confederations and national associations will be compelled to incorporate the measures and infringements could lead to a two-year exclusion from international soccer. FIFA president Sepp Blatter said on Friday the measures were "immediately applicable."

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Linfield make statement on racist abuse of Shelbourne players

By Billy Weir (Belfast Telegraph)

16 March 2006

Linfield have vowed to ban any fan found guilty of sectarian or racist chanting at Windsor Park.

The tough stance comes after Monday evening's Setanta Sports Cup clash where a minority of fans shouted such abuse at Shelbourne players and supporters.




In a statement released last night, Blues chiefs have vowed to clamp down on the 'pathetic morons' involved.

It is far from an idle threat though, with moves already in place to establish a working party to weed out those responsible.

The club statement said: "A small number of spectators sullied the name of the Alex Russell Stand and that of Linfield Football Club by their sectarian and at times racist chanting during the Setanta game against Shelbourne.

"This was highly offensive to players, staff, management committee and all real supporters of the game from both clubs.

"It cannot and will not be tolerated. LFC has set up a working party to identify and exclude from the Park these outcasts with limited minds who bring their own agenda to some games.

"The vast majority of our supporters are to be congratulated for coming on such a wild evening and giving 'the 12th man' support on an otherwise great night.

"We deserve better, and none more so than our outstanding team, than these pathetic morons who debase everyone.

"We emphasise in the strongest possible terms that this type of appalling behaviour from a certain small crowd sector will not be tolerated at the club under any circumstance."

Shelbourne's Cameroon-born midfielder Joseph N'Do was the chief target of the racist chants, which could be heard clearly on television.

Perversely, the Blues also had black striker Avun Jephcott on the pitch while this was happening.

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Cut sound of racist chanting at football matches

A cross-party group of European politicians will use the launch of a joint campaign against racism in football with Uefa next week to urge broadcasters to cut the sound or switch to black and white if a serious racist incident happens during a football match.





The idea, which MEPs want to see in action at this summer's World Cup in Germany, is the brainchild of Labour MEP Claude Moraes. It is the highlight of a declaration backed by 423 MEPs, the largest number to sign such a motion, which will be unveiled in strasbourg next week.

The European Parliament does not have the power to oblige television channels to alter transmissions, but Mr Morales said that two years of private discussions with Uefa bosses, networks, as well as German authorities and police have left him convinced that MEPs were "pushing at an open door".

The European Parliament does not have the power to oblige television channels to alter transmissions, but Mr Moraes said that two years of private discussions with Uefa bosses, networks, as well as German authorities and police have left him convinced that MEPs were "pushing at an open door".

Mr Moraes, who is president of the parliament's "anti-racism and diversity inter-group", said German police had told him of concerns about racist abuse from fans and extreme Right-wing groups, especially from EU states in eastern and central Europe, but also from Spain and Italy.

British fans were this week warned by the Home Secretary, Charles Clarke, that they faced jail terms if they performed Nazi salutes, or chanted Sieg Heil, in Germany - even if done in jest.

In Holland, sales of orange replica Nazi helmets aimed at fans attending the World Cup have trebled since they were banned from Dutch stadiums by the authorities.

Florian van Laar's firm sells around 5,000 to 7,000 orange helmets a week and has added helmets in the national colours of Australia, England, Germany, France and Italy to its range. "This is simply meant as a joke," he said.

Response

The idea of television companies cutting the colour from racist matches came from Italy, where far-Right groups have infiltrated clubs such as Lazio in Rome, hanging a swastika and portraits of Mussolini from the terraces. Lazio's captain, Paolo di Canio, has been suspended twice for giving a fascist salute.

After a week of unusually bad racist incidents, the Italian state broadcaster, RAI, began showing matches in black and white, with a caption on the screen explaining why, Mr Moraes said.

"We're not asking for some EU media onslaught, we're asking individual broadcasters to take action," he said. "I know football journalists and broadcasters care about it. We are pushing at an open door."

Show Racism the Red Card Irish co-ordinator Garrett Mullan said: "Racist chanting at football matches is a massive issue for clubs in countries such as Spain, Italy and elsewhere in southern and eastern Europe. Rather than cutting the sound, fines along with training of stewards and the resourcing of education campaigns is the real way forward. We have to challenge racism not hide it".

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FIFA declares anti-racism days for World Cup

Fifa has declared that the two days on which the World Cup quarter-finals take place will be official tournament anti-racism days. High profile activities will be organised on these days to Show Racism the Red Card. It is geared to send a message out from the top to all levels of the game throughout the world. Players represented by FIFPRO, fans and others have welcomed the move.



Berlin, Hamburg, Gelsenkirchen and Frankfurt will be hosting matches over the weekend of June 30 and July 1 and the move is in a bid to force the sport to take the problem seriously.

The move has been welcomed by campaigners including Labour MEP, Glyn Ford who said: "Recent events in Spain and Italy have shown that football racism is not confined to one country, or one problem group of fans.

"Without Fifa's backing, it is difficult to get clubs to take anti-racism seriously. Fifa has shown that it is prepared to throw its weight behind tackling racism at every level of the game."

Mr Ford, a member of the sports and anti-racism intergroups in the European Parliament and national treasurer of the Anti-Nazi league, went on: "I welcome Fifa's decision to give the anti-racist message the highest prominence during the World Cup.

"Football is the great international language, uniting nations and peoples. There is no place for the ugly face of racism that demeans the individual and isolates millions of fans.

"I will be contacting both Fifa and the European Union Monitoring Centre on Racism to offer Labour MEPs support and to make sure that anything the European Parliament can do to make the campaign more effective will be done."

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Polish players start anti-racism campaign

During “The 1st International Indoor Football Tournament for Football Fans” in Wałbrzych the Polish players’ union OZZP started their new campaign: “RED CARD TO AGGRESSION AND RACISM”.




OZZP decided to focus their activities on the problem of violence and racism in football stadiums. In Poland, violence is much more common than racism, but as these problems quite often appear together, OZZP decided that it would be easier for us to fight against both of them.

A great number of events have been planned within our campaign, raising awareness about the need to prevent these negative phenomena. As football fans make up the group which, to a great extent, dictates the presence of this kind of behaviour, the aforementioned tournament was a perfect opportunity to start this campaign. This tournament was held on 25.02.2006.

The President of OZZP, Marek Pieta, talked to football fans about their commitment to our campaign (see picture enclosed). The first steps towards joint actions have been taken. These actions aim to prove that football fans can have a good time and whilst maintaining a pleasant and safe atmosphere in football stadiums.

The first serious undertaking is planned for the 60th anniversary of The Football club “Górnik Wałbrzych”. It will be held on May 27th 2006 at Górnik stadium. Together with the Football Fan Club we will do our best to ensure an appropriate setting.

The next event within this campaign will be to organize a match between foreign players who play for Polish clubs (preferably African and South American footballers) and domestic players representing the Polish League. It will probably be held on the 3rd June 2006 in Opoczno.

PZPN (Polish Football Association), Ekstraklasa S. A. (Polish League) and two of the most important sports newspapers in Poland, “Piłka Nożna” and “Przegląd Sportowy”, were asked by OZZP to take part in this event. They immediately pledged their support and assistance to OZZP during the campaign.

OZZP is still waiting for an answer from the Polish Sport Minister.

Source- FIFPRO

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BOHS open doors to all in multilingual website

Bohemians special effort to win the support of foreign nationals. Bohemians FC have leaflets and a website in seven languages to advance the cause at Dalymount Park. The club history, profile and plans are explained in French, German, Italian, Croatian, Bosnian and Polish. There are plans to have material in Chinese, Latvian, Russian, Spanish and other languages in the near future.




The effect of Bohemians efforts to widen their support base are already being felt with increasing non-Irish national attendance at games. From hosting events such as the Brian Kerr Interconinental league, the club are making efforts to imbue the new Irish with a sense of belonging.

There are many things that are popular around the world, linking us all with a common bond; sport, and football in particular, certainly being one of those.

With this in mind, a group of Bohs members and supporters have been working hard, before the new season starts this week, on a scheme that they hope will attract and welcome some of the increasing immigrant population in Dublin to Dalymount Park for Bohemians games. A football fan is a football fan no matter what country they are living in and most would agree that there is nothing better than the experience of a live game, seeing the skill, taking in the atmosphere and of course the craic.

Bohemians realise that, living in a new place, it can be difficult to find out about what is going on in the community. Because of this several websites in different languages have been put together including Polish, Chinese, Latvian, Arabic, Bosnian, Afrikaans, Croatian, French, Mandarin, Romanian & Spanish, with yet more languages set to come on stream very soon.

Posters and leaflets in the primary languages of the immigrant population have been printed and are to be distributed around the city. The people behind this scheme feel that it is extremely important to make these ‘New Dubliners’ feel as welcome as possible and that they are assimilated into society and their local community in every way possible. It is hoped that they will make Bohs their team in Ireland and truly feel part of the Bohs community.

Multilingual information on the club is available at

www.bohscommunity.com

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International Players Union reacts with incredulity to fine on Zaragoza

FIFPro has reacted with incomprehension to the fine of 9,000 euros which has been imposed on Real Zaragoza of the Spanish football association. The reason for the fine were the continuous racial remarks from the Zaragoza public towards the Barcelona player Samuel Eto’o in the match between the two clubs last Saturday. FIFPro Secretary General Theo van Seggelen: ‘These are not the far-reaching measures that the football world is waiting for.’




It was not the first time that the Zaragoza fans committed an offence. Zaragoza were fined 600 euros by the RFEF last season after a section of their fans directed racist abuse against Eto'o, whilst earlier this month, Zaragoza were fined a similar amount after some of their fans directed racist insults at Real Betis' Brazilian forward Robert.

‘This is not a good signal’, according to FIFPro Secretary General Theo van Seggelen. ‘I understand that FIFA Chairman Joseph Blatter has called the measure ridiculous and in this instance we are fully in agreement with each other. Everybody is in agreement that racism in football must be dealt with. A joint firm approach is required. A fine like this does not fit in with that.’

Incidentally FIFPro is of the opinion that punitive measures on their own are not sufficient. Last Tuesday, in the FIFPro board meeting, the FIFPro policy against racism was officially confirmed.

full story on www.fifpro.org

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Celtic slams Dublin rioters in club colours

06th March 2006

Celtic slams Dublin rioters in club colours

Glasgow Celtic have condemned the hundreds of rioters who wore the team's famous green and white colours while rampaging through central Dublin last Saturday.




Images of youths in Celtic tops and scarfs attacking gardai and looting shops were beamed across the world.

The club said it wanted nothing to do with Irish supporters who trashed O'Connell Street during violent republican protests against a Unionist victim's march in the city.

Condemnation

A spokesman at Celtic Park said: 'These events have nothing to do with Celtic Football Club and those involved do not represent the club in any way, but clearly Celtic would condemn any behaviour of this kind.

"It's identifying individuals and keeping them out of the stadium is probably more efficient.

'Celtic has been a club open to all since its formation in 1888 and it is well known that as a non-political, inclusive organisation, the club has for many years worked to promote social inclusion, tolerance and the benefits of cultural diversity.'

In the fall-out from the trouble, which resulted in the Unionist 'Love Ulster' march being re-routed away from O'Connell Street, Sport Against Racism Ireland (Sari) wrote telling Celtic Park that hundreds of Celtic fans had taken part in the riots.

Ken McCue of Sari welcomed the club's statement of condemnation: 'The use of Celtic colours by extreme green nationalist thugs brings the club into disrepute. Celtic must now work hard to promote their own social charter and regain the respect they always deserve.'

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Curtis Fleming and Niall Quinn speak out against racism

by Daniel Mc Donnell
Soccer Correspondent at Irish Daily Star

IT'S THE moment that every footballer dreads and two weeks ago Curtis Fleming finally accepted that his time had come. That it was time to hang up his boots.

The 37 year old had hoped to sort himself out with a new club after his release from Shelbourne but for one reason or another he just couldn't find the right one.




And now he's looking to the future after a career that took him from the League of Ireland with St Patrick's Athletic to the Premiership and the chance to represent his country.

"I'm just going to retire, I couldn't organise anything and I think there's a point when you just have to retire at some stage. Nothing's happened", admits the Dubliner.

"I've been doing a little bit of radio work on Middlesbrough in the North East of England but I'm going to hand to coaching and if that comes off then if I could get a job in the UK or in Ireland then I'd do it.

"I've been doing the badges with the PFAI after they started one up and down the line it's something I would like to make another career of.

"Everyone says I should do it so hopefully I'll love it and I'm good at it. I'll have to see", he laughs.

If he displays the dedication that carried him through his playing days then you get the feeling that Fleming will do just fine.

His story has been well documented, and Fleming laughs when he says that his friends are sick of tired of hearing about it.

"I think people say to me sometimes, "Ah will you shut up talking about it, how you got into the League of Ireland, how you worked in a shop and people said you were good enough to go away and you never did until eventually the move came."

"But that's the way it was. That's the way it happened. At 21, if you had said to me that at 37 I would have played in an FA Cup Final, played in the Premiership with some of the best players in the world and 10 times for my country I'd have said, 'Yeah, good one, no chance', he says with a broad smile.

Fleming was speaking at the launch of a subject close to his heart with the Show Racism the Red Card campaign moving to Ireland.

As someone who spent time in the League of Ireland as it's only coloured player Fleming suffered from taunts although they were nothing compared to what he experienced in England.

"It wasn't so bad for me when I was in Ireland because the football community was more of a family then. Everybody knew everybody around Dublin , I'd played against them the whole way up.

"You might get a bit in schoolboy football from fathers on the side of the pitch, saying don't let that black kid kick my Jimmy and stuff like that."

"But because I was seen as a footballer, well, people put that before my colour. Sometimes I'd hear people asking about this Curtis who was a good footballer and the answer would be, 'the black fella'", he recalls.

"My first thing was football and if I didn't have it then things might have been different on the street or in school."

"I remember that famous game against Rovers at the RDS when half of Dublin claimed to be there and I heard a few chants then but it was when I went to England that I got a bit more of a shock.

"It was pure hatred, I remember getting an awful hammering at Roker Park one time. But when they brought in all seater stadiums these lads couldn't get together."

In England the problem has been solved, but across Europe the problems still exist. Fleming experienced it first hand in Bucharest last year as a Shelbourne player, along with Joseph Ndo.

"It's improved in England but when you see what's happened in Europe recently then it shows there's a lot of work left to be done", he asserts.
"You see Zaragoza fans abusing Samuel Eto'o last week. Well, last year they did the same to another player and do you know what they got fined? 600 euros. Their groundsmen probably took it out of his back packet and paid it.

"How is that going to affect anybody? How will that encourage clubs there to stamp it out?"

As he surveyed a room of ethnically diverse school children at Tolka Park on Monday, Fleming acknowledges that he finds it hard to believe how much has changed.

In his early days in the Irish squad, there was a few idiots who sent letters to the Star after a feature which included Fleming, Paul McGrath, Chris Hughton and other black Irish sportspeople under the title 'Proud To Be Irish'.

"I was a kid who just wanted to play for Ireland. Don't tell the wife but it was the happiest day of my life when I made my debut for my country and it's terrible to think that when I was singing the anthem there was people watching who didn't want me there.

"But I think those days are gone. You see the young kids now with different origins growing up now in Ireland who want to play GAA or want to play League of Ireland", he continues.

"It won't be long before you have an Irish international team with a Kozluk or a Benjani or something like that playing alongside Murphys and Keanes."

Should they want a role model, then those kids should look no further than Fleming. He looks back with no regrets.

"Of course there's loads more I would have wanted to do. Instead of ten caps, I would have wanted 20, instead of losing the FA Cup Final I would have liked to win it."

"But there's always ifs and maybes in life. But I don't have regrets. When I look back I'll say alright, I proved I could play at the top level consistently and I got my Irish caps so I'm very happy with that. It's not a bad way to end it."

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NIALL QUINN told a story about Curtis Fleming this week which accurately summed up the racist culture which existed within English football at the start of the 1990's.
When Fleming arrived at Manchester City on trial a social night was arranged with the entire first team squad going to watch a well known comedian.

Said comic spent most of his routine poking fun at Fleming because of his colour and while the youngster tried his best to take the joke, the rest of the squad laughed heartily.

"It was just mickey taking but I don't think we realised at the time how much hurt it could have caused Curtis", recalls Quinn.

"But we didn't know any different. It was just something that was in the culture but it's only now that you look back and think how wrong it was."

Quinn arrived as a fresh faced youngster at Arsenal just as the picture of the game in the UK was changing.

The youthful side at Highbury that he joined included the likes of Paul Davis, Michael Thomas and David Rocastle.

"At Arsenal, there was no such thing as a clique. Everyone was so well integrated and we all had fun and that's probably why the team did so well.

"I enjoyed the company of Dave and Michael. They would have a laugh at my expense, and take me down to South London or somewhere different like that and while I might have preferred to be up in Kilburn, it was a good experience for me.

"I may not have liked their clothes or their music", he laughs. "But it was great to explore and hear their stories."

Of course Quinn himself suffered from a very different kind of racism, the anti Irish attitude that existed amongst certain sections of society.

"I got letters from Combat 18, the crowd that caused the hassle in Lansdowne Road, but I didn't go public on them.

"It was just hate mail from ignorant people who didn't and maybe still don't know any better. It didn't bother me because you don't want to give these people the time of day and take them seriously.

"I'm glad that those people have been weeded out of football and that the attitude has changed."

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GAA must embrace new Race campaign

by Frank Roche
(Evening Herald GAA correspondent)

ONLY last week, lovers of the Beautiful Game - including countless Croke Park regulars - marvelled at the twinkle-toed majesty of Lionel Messi, Ronaldinho, et al as they weaved their magic across the Stamford Bridge muck.




Barcelona were a breath of fresh air, especially for those of you who can't warm to Cheslki or the self-appointed `Special One'.

And then, just a few days later, came news that Samuel Eto'o - one of Barca's holy trinity of attacking stars - had been racially abused while playing against Real Zaragoza.

Eto'o threatened to leave the pitch after being subjected to monkey chants. He was only convinced to play on by team-mates, opponents and the referee.

Zaragoza fans have `history' when it comes to this vile behaviour but they're not unique: Spanish football has been plagued by racist chanting in recent seasons.

Not so long ago, England travelled to Madrid for a friendly international only for their coloured players to suffer shocking abuse (clearly audible even to armchair viewers) every time they touched the ball.

You may ask what all this has to do with the GAA? And the straight answer is, very little indeed. Just yet.
But `good old Catholic Ireland' is changing before our eyes. Nearly 10pc of the population is now non-national. The Romanians, the Poles and the Nigerians are adding to our rich cultural tapestry but some of the locals don't like it: they are, so the blinkered stereotype goes, "taking our jobs". Or, worse again, our social welfare.

Tackling racism is a job for all of us, from the Government down. It's also something that can't be ignored by the administrators who run Irish sport.

`Show Racism the Red Card' launched a major publicity drive in Dublin yesterday, spearheaded by former soccer internationals Niall Quinn and Curtis Fleming, with Dessie Farrell - of Dublin and now GPA fame - representing the world of GAA.

The organisation has been preaching its message of tolerance through the medium of education and sport for over a decade.

Goalkeeper Shaka Hislop, then of Newcastle United, was instrumental in the start-up and projects are now in place throughout the UK and Scandanavia.

Yesterday's Tolka Park event was about getting the same message across to an Irish audience. The Gaelic Players Association has come on board in tandem with its soccer and rugby counterparts, the PFAI and IRUPA, while the teaching unions (INTO, ASTI and TUI) are also involved.

Farrell says there have been "some situations" of racism in Gaelic games and, while it's not very prevalent, he insists: "We need to take steps and implement policies to begin with, rather than tackling the problem when it has taken hold.

"Particularly in a lot of urban areas, people from different cultural backgrounds are going to be playing Gaelic games. We need to be very vigilant, that we don't encourage (racism) through apathy or a non-recognition of the problems occurring in other sports," the former Dublin skipper concludes.

It's debatable whether Croke Park is ready for the potential problems that go hand-in-hand with such a fast-changing demographic.

To this observer, who was in Australia, the GAA hierarchy seemed totally ill-prepared when the Graham Geraghty controversy erupted in 1999. One rash, albeit extremely ill-judged, comment in the middle of a warm-up game and -- suddenly -- the tourists were face-to-face with a race issue that meant little back home but was ultra-sensitive to Australians.

You were left to wonder what, if any, briefing the Irish players had received beforehand? "None at all," confirms one '99 tourist. "It was a real eye-opener at the time. I remember everyone was stunned that you could miss a game as a result."

Closer to home, there have been occasional flashpoints. As the Dublin team departed from the pitch after the recent `Battle of Omagh', Jason Sherlock was racially abused by several Tyrone `supporters' in the stand, according to Dublin sources. There have been other reports of sectarian abuse involving players from the border counties.

You could argue the GAA has been `lucky' to have such a homogenised playing population, automatically curtailing the opportunity for fans -- or opposing players -- to indulge in racist sledging.

The landscape is changing, though, and rapidly. Dublin Cumann na mBunscol hasn't done the research that would reveal exactly how many immigrant children are playing football and hurling in our capital's primary schools -- but according to PRO Jerry Grogan: "There is hardly a team that doesn't have at least one child from some ethnic minority."

Some 265 teams took part in their football competitions last term, and 163 are entered for the upcoming hurling and camogie competitions. Of the 30 teams which reached the football finals in Croke Park, Grogan reckons between 20 and 25 had a mixture of nationalities. What used to be the exception is now the norm.

Now for the good news. "I can honestly say that not one incident of racial abuse on the field has been brought to the attention of the executive in Dublin -- or indeed nationally," says Grogan, who has just stepped down after ten years as national PRO.

"I think that probably points to the fact that children take to children of different nationalities quite naturally," he adds.

"I have no doubt that adults need to be educated. You hear of children making racist remarks in a school yard and it's always adult-speak, that `these people are taking our jobs, etc'. They are hearing that at home."

According to Grogan, some "really talented" players from an ethnic background are coming through the primary ranks and surely destined for greater things. The best hurler in Croke Park two years ago was from Bangladesh.

They are even taking up the whistle: a 12-year-old Nigerian, Bambi Fasamya, refereed the mini-sevens match during the All-Ireland football final in Croke Park last year.

Now that's progress . . . but it behoves the GAA at all levels to make the most of this welcome new resource.

FOOTNOTE: You can access the `Show Racism the Red Card' website at www.theredcard.ie. The organisation has launched its UK DVD, featuring interviews with Damien Duff and Chris Hughton, and is now seeking funds to produce an Irish DVD while 10,000 posters will be distributed to Irish schools and clubs.

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Red Card against Racism shown at Tolka Park

Ex-Ireland football internationals Niall Quinn and Curtis Fleming, along with the Gaelic Players Union’s Chief Executive, Dessie Farrell, helped launch the campaign. A unique partnership of three player’s unions and three teacher’s unions has united in a major educational initiative to Show Racism the Red Card in Ireland.



The event was attended by schoolchildren from around Dublin who joined the footballing greats along with Dessie Farrell (GPA), Mark Rutherford St Patrick’s Athletic, and FIFPro’s Tony Higgins in a question and answer forum.

Niall Quinn said: “There is absolutely no place in society for racial or religious intolerance. It is imperative that we get this message across especially to children at a young age. Getting the anti-racism message over through an education process in sport is an initiative I am proud to be part of.”

FIFPro’s anti-racism spokesperson Tony Higgins who attended added: “FIFPro are delighted to be a sponsor of this initiative underlining their commitment to anti-racist campaign throughout world football. I would also like to thank in particular Show Racism the Red Card who are a very effective grassroots organisation in the anti-racist movement.”

Stephen McGuinness, PFAI Chairman said; “we are delighted to be part of the anti racism campaign and look forward to involving the eircom League clubs. Shamrock Rovers and Drogheda United have already agreed to take part in a pilot program for season 2006”.

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Bobby Robson receives anti-racism award

Monday saw the launch of the education and sport Show Racism the Red Card campaign. Sir Bobby Robson received an award presented by Shay Given in recommendation and thanks for all the work that Sir Bobby did to support Show Racism the Red Card while he was manager of Newcastle United.



Newcastle based co-ordinator of the Show Racism the Red Card campaign Ged Grebby said: "Sir Bobby has been a tremendous asset to our campaign in his tenure as Newcastle United manager. He provided us with support at Newcastle but also travelled with us up and down the UK attending our events. He has gone out of his way to assist this project. The award is a small token of our appreciation of his support for Show Racism the Red Card".

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