Give Racismen det Rode Kort

On May 1st, the Danish Football Player’s Association launched it’s anti-racism campaign within the football world and the society in general. The launch was attended by
-Minister of Integration, Rikke Hvilshøj
-President of the Danish Trade Union Confederation Hans Jensen
-Danish Football Player’s Association; Thomas Lindrup, AGF, Michael Gravgaard, FC Copenhagen, Martin Retov, Brøndby IF and the director of the Danish Football Player’s Association, Mads Øland.

The three campaign legs:

The campaign is divided into three legs:

- Visibility
- Schools
- Businesses/work places

The starting point of the campaign is the opinion and the dedication of the players. In the Danish stadiums we have had occasional racist incidents with monkey chants against coloured players, which is of course unacceptable. We have also seen that different groups with racist viewpoints have tried to infiltrate the fan groups in Denmark, which is also unacceptable. The Danish players want to take a stand and want to eradicate racism and racist remarks from football. The aim is also to spread information on positive coorperation between ethnic minorities within the football community, for integration in football and in the society as such.



The visible part of the campaign will start on the stadiums on May 7 2006.

The school campaign will start within a couple months in collaboration with the Danish Trade Union of Teachers. We will visit different schools together with football players and campaigners and also together with the teachers union with educational material to be used on the long term in the teaching of youngsters.

The campaign in businesses and work places will be set up in cooperation with the Danish Trade Union Confederation as well as different companies who will make agreements based on the campaign. Already three major companies in Denmark, Arriva (a bus company), Adecco A/S and Lynx Media have signed up with the campaign. The intention again is to visit different work places with footballers and campaigners in order to inform on the positive aspects for the work places of having people of different nationalities working together to the better of the team.


Mads Øland, director of the Danish Football Player’s Association, with the Danish Minister of Integration, Rikke Hvilshøj

Statements

In the press conference the Danish Minister of Integration, Rikke Hvilshøj, stated: “It is a very nice and good project of which I am expecting very positive results. It is very important to send a clear signal that discrimination and racism in no way will be accepted. We are now showing racism the red card”.

Morten Wieghorst, the Danish ambassador of the Danish anti-racism campaign “Show racism the red card,” stated:

“I’m 100 % against racism. Unfortunately racism also takes place in Danish football. I’m happy to give my contribution to fight racism and to enhance integration and pluralism in football and in society as such”.

Cathrine Paaske Sørensen, Danish female national team player, stated:

“Racism in football is a growing problem in all European countries. In Denmark we have seen the same development. I think it is necessary that we, the players, stand up against this development. Racism is unpleasant and wrong and that is why I’m supporting the campaign”.
The Campaign is being supported by www.fifpro.org