Interncontinental League Fixtures

For this week's league fixtures click below
Read match reports on Mondays

Brian Kerr International League



The Schedule for this Weekend (2-3rd of September)


Saturday 13:00 Slovakia V D.R.Congo Saint Anne’s Park

Saturday 13:00 Nigeria + V Nigeria Utd Saint Anne’s Park

Sunday 12:00 Romania V Polska Saint Anne’s Park

Sunday 12:00 Algeria V Hong Kong Saint Anne’s Park

Sunday 14:00 Libya V Angola Saint Anne’s Park

Sunday 14:00 Somalia V Poland Naas Saint Anne’s Park

Sunday 14:00 Italy V South Africa Saint Anne’s Park

Sunday 14:00 Polonia V Poland Saint Anne’s Park

Sunday 15:00 Polish Eagles V Brazil Richmond Park, Inchicore- Saint Pats Stadium

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First Season of Intercontinental League

The first full season of the Intercontinental League commences this Sunday 3rd, September.
It follows a half season of the Brian Kerr Interconintental League which began in January 2006 lasting till May 2006. The Winners of this league were the Polish Eagles. The league is still without a sponsor and continues to carry Patron Brian Kerr as the holding name- Brian Kerr Interconinental League.

With considerable Polish representation there is plenty of excitement about how each of the five Polish teams will perform. Other derby games to look forward to include United team from Nigeria who will play to take points off Nigeria Plus, while Romania and Slovakia will no doubt be keen to impress that Poland aren't the only east Europeans on the field.

The matches will be played at either St Anne's Park, Raheny or Walkinstown Park, Dublin 12. All questions can be directed towards League Director Gil Berkowich at berkowichg@zomax.ie

See below for list of teams and for fixtures for the first week's games on 3rd September.

The Red Card will be giving full comprehensive coverage on the league's progress. We welcome reports from players, supporters and managers of teams and comment on performance and of course suggestions as to good stories marking the progress of this unique interesting competition.


1. Algeria
2. Angola
3. Brazil
4. Congo
5. Hong Kong
6. Ireland
7. Italy
8. Libya
9. Nigeria Plus
10. Nigeria United
11. Poland
12. Poland Naas
13. Polish Eagles
14. Polonia
15. Polska
16. Romania
17. Slovakia
18. Somalia
19. South Africa


Libya V Angola
Algeria V Hong Kong
Nigeria Plus V Nigeria United
Somalia V Poland Naas
Italy V South Africa
Polish Eagles V Brazil
Romania V Polska
Slovakia V Congo
Ireland V Free (no match)
Polonia V Poland

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Interview with FAI Intercultural Officer

The FAI is Ireland's first sporting authority to employ a full-time office to engage the new communities in Ireland. Representing 10% of the workforce and numbering 400,000 in total, foreign nationals living in Ireland represent a great opportunity for the sport to grow.

The FAI have also recognised the role sport has as an opportunity for intercultural activity.

The Red Card spoke with Des Tomlinson about his new role as National Intercultural Co-ordinator for the FAI.


Where did you work before taking up your current position with the FAI?

I worked for a large West London Mental Health Trust overseeing its centre for sport and exercise. The role involved managing a team of 10 sports coaches to provide sports/exercise opportunities to people with mental health problem to engage in sports and overcome stigma.

What interested you about the post of intercultural co-ordinator?

The role interests me from both a professional and personal perspective; I hold FA Coaching Awards as well as being a member of the Football Association Coaches Association, from my experience as a coach and a player of the games I understand both the frustrations that racism can bring and the opportunities and benefits that an inclusive sporting environment can create. From a personal standpoint I have two small children who I hope will grow up to enjoy and value sport and participate in football in a discrimination free environment.

What do you see as the biggest challenge of the post?

There are a number of challenges all with their own importance; I think the overriding challenge is to create an inclusive environment within football so that people can feel comfortable to participate; the spin off from this is that we can increase participation levels from Minority Ethnic Groups. Allied to this the need to put in place some proactive, preventative measures to challenge and remove racism from football.

What would you consider success will be and how is it measured?

More players, coaches, supporters, officials, refs and volunteers from minority ethnic groups. Implementation the UEFA 10 point plan within all Eircom league clubs, local clubs and a general environment in Irish football that supports diversity.

I hope to measure success by firstly establishing some bench marks around participation, with regards to the UEFA 10 point plan.

I would anticipate that clubs, leagues and other affiliates will reflect their commitment to the plan by setting this out in their constitutions and by establishing an equality policy which is routinely monitored.

What differences do you consider in addressing intercultual activities in Ireland as compared to Britain?

Cultural diversity on the scale seen over the last 10 yrs is new to Ireland; this presents the real opportunity to plan for diversity, and integration to be proactive as appose to reactive.

What team do you support in UK and in the Eircom League?

In the UK, for my sins I support Spurs. I suppose in Ireland, not necessarily based on play but I would have to say geographically Galway United.

What are you doing in the job now?

Networking and to establish partnerships with various agencies both statutory and non statutory, I anticipate that some of these will act as good resource for the upcoming consultation process that will inform the strategic plan for the FAI.

I am also working with specific NGO’s to support their work where possible. Currently I have started the process of evaluating training needs within the FAI with regards to anti racism training and will be putting a training strategy together either as part of the consultation process or separately. I anticipate that over the next few months that I will be spending a good deal of time working with clubs to help them implement the 10 point plan.

What do you think about Show Racism the Red Card?

SRTRC has huge potential both in terms as an organization that seeks to raise people’s awareness of the issue, as well as acting as a barometer of racism within sport. Allied to its promotional/awareness raising work is its potential to influence the attitudes and beliefs of both young and old, in this regard its work to construct an educational DVD programme, perhaps sets it apart from mere promotion and positions it as educational resource.

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Racism in Romanian football

Racism in football – the situation in Romania

by Valeriu Nicolae

19 March 2006 - Steaua Bucharest plays against FC National in the national football league in Romania . Razvan Lucescu, the coach of Rapid Bucharest, is forced to leave the stadium after 80 minutes of racist abuse.



During the entire game, Steaua’s gallery yells racist chants against him “go out you stinky crow”, “die gypsy” and “we hate the gypsies”.[1] He needs protection to leave the stadium. During the same match the captain of Steaua Bucharest, Mirel Radoi, racially abuses the Nigerian player of FC National, Agunbiande Abioudun[2], whom he repeatedly calls “crow” and “gipsy”.

Earlier that month, both Steaua Bucharest and Rapid Bucharest qualified for the UEFA Cup. UEFA announced that the teams would play against each other during the next round of the Cup. Following this announcement, the Romanian President Traian Basescu welcomed both teams at the Presidential Palace and congratulated the players for their UEFA victories. He underlined the importance of fair play and respect during future UEFA games, and handed distinctions to the players and staff.


Early in the year of 2006, under pressure from civil society and presidency, Romania adopted Ordinance 11/2006, aimed at preventing and reducing racism in Romanian football stadiums. The ordinance not only bans materials which might incite spectators to racial hatred and xenophobia, but also places responsibility on the organisers of events to prevent such banners or flags from entering the stadiums. The legislative act includes tough fines and consequences for racist and violent acts by spectators or organisers in the stadiums. Hooligans can be banned for a period of 6 months to 3 years.

In February the Romanian Football Federation for the first time sent a representative to the UEFA’s second Unite Against Racism conference, which took place in Barcelona . This signalled a change of attitude of the Federation towards tackling racism. During the conference a presentation on anti-Gypsyism in Romanian stadiums was shown.

Up to the ugly incidents on 19 March it can be said that there were improvements in Romania, but it is clear that there still is a very long way to go. The political class and the Romanian President proved their commitment to kicking racism out of football. Racists need to be told to shut up, and it is up those who really love football who have the responsibility to tell them.


A short history of incidents in 2005…

On 13 April, during a game between Steaua Bucharest and Rapid Bucharest, Steaua’s supporters use anti-Gypsy chants: “We have always hated gypsies, we have always urinated on you” and “Stinky Gypsies”. After the game Gabi Safta, the presenter at the home games of Steaua Bucharest, verbally abused the coach of Rapid, Razvan Lucescu whom he called a “stinky Gypsy”. After the match, the observer of the Romanian Football League, Valentin Alexandru, declared “The game was played in normal conditions”, he added “everything happens you (the media) blow it out of proportion… what if they played those songs on the stadium speakers (“Gypsies and the UFO’s” was played during the intermission) …those are songs sung by those a little bit darker.” Both teams were fined by the National Council Against Discrimination following the incidents.

On 6 September UEFA’s president Lennart Johannson says to a British newspaper following racism during a round of UEFA games: “We are concerned about racism, particularly in Bulgaria and Romania .” A few days later, UEFA announced that it would increase the initial fine for racist incidents during an UEFA game against Shelbourne. Steaua Bucuresti’s stadium is suspended for the next UEFA game. This is the first time a stadium is suspended for racism by UEFA.

As a result, an enormous scandal erupts in the Romanian press which sees a remarkable turn-around of the Romanian media against racism in sports as it starts reporting on racist incidents. Valentin Alexandru from the Romanian Football League declared that there is no racism in the stadiums and that “them, the Roma, are a shame for our country”. Cristi Bivolaru, the head of international relations at the Romanian Football Federation (FRF) and an observer for the European football authority UEFA, stated: “The English had two crows[3] in their team and the spectators in the stadium made crow sounds. They made crow sounds to the crows. That was all. UEFA fined them for that there is no way there are major problems with racism as Johansson said.”

In a report in October, the European Commissions sent an uncharacteristically clear and no-nonsense signal to Romania : “The Romanian authorities should demonstrate, at all levels, that the country applies a zero-tolerance policy on racism against Roma or against any other minority or group and that this policy is effectively implemented.”[4]

On 23 October Steaua and Rapid Bucuresti played for the Romanian Championship. A banner referring to zero tolerance for gypsies “Last chance for Romania – zero tolerance” was displayed.[5] The gallery chanted “We hate the crows, suspend us!” and displayed a huge banner representing a crow. Racist chants against Roma directed to the Roma player of Steaua Bucharest Banel Niculita were also heard from the gallery of Rapid Bucharest. The Romanian Football League, lead by Dumitru Dragomir, who is member of the extremist party Romania Mare and was investigated for owning an anti-Semitic publication, once again sent Valentin Alexandru to the game as observer. Both teams are fined by the National Council Against Discrimination following the incidents and their stadiums are suspended for one game.

In December 2005, Cristi Bivolaru resigns from his position under serious pressure.

http://www.romanetwork.org/Football.html

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Raise funds for Show Racism the Red Card

Summit the world's highest freestanding mountain

Bush trekking in unspoilt wilderness and every eco-system known to mankind

Enter the new year with a Fresh Start on Wed 17 Jan 2007 - Sun 28 Jan 2007
Join our fundraising partners at Charity Challenge to top Africa's Highest Peak


Treks have been a feature of Show Racism the Red Card (UK) fundraising and we are now offering you the chance to do some good for yourself and Show Racism the Red Card Ireland.

At 5,895m, Mt. Kilimanjaro is one of the largest volcanoes ever to break through the Earth’s crust. Your challenge is to reach its summit.

Your trek starts in the rainforests of Lemosho Glades and heads upwards as you acclimatise on Shira Plateau. From here you will catch a glimpse of your goal – Kibo, Kilimanjaro’s main ice-capped peak. You continue via the beautiful Southern Flank, Barranco Wall and Barafu Route.

Temperatures drop at night, allowing you to enjoy the crisp cool air under the star-studded African skies. During the days you’ll rise higher; often looking down on a sea of clouds.

Our groups have excellent success rates (96%) for trekkers reaching the summit, but don’t underestimate the challenge ahead. Most trekkers will never have experienced a day as tough as this, with 1,000m of ascent and over 2,000m of descent. It is however victory day!

Self Funder Minimum Sponsorship

Start End Expedition Cost Deposit + Balance Deposit + Minimum Sponsorship Travel
17/01/2007 28/01/2007 £1,995 = £595+ £1,400 £595 + £2,950

For more information go to- www.charitychallenge.com

Email: Victoria@charitychallenge.com

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FAI appoint Intercultural Co-ordinator

FAI Chief Executive, John Delaney announced the appointment of a new Intercultural Programme Co-ordinator, responsible for coordinating the development of an anti-racism and social inclusion strategy at the association's AGM.



Des Tomlinson will develop policies and procedures to involve ethnic minorities in the game at all levels. His appointment by the FAI is the first of its kind by a major National Governing Body in Ireland.

Des will support the strategy of the FAI Intercultural Group which has Show Racism the Red Card, Sari, NCCRI and the Department of Justice as partner agencies involved. The strategy of the group is to devise ways of increasing minority ehtnic participation in all aspects of Irish football.

Mr. Delaney spoke of the FAI¹s new Intercultural Football Programme, "The FAI¹s involvement with the many non-Irish nationals has been brought to a new level. The objective of this appointment, working with other agencies including the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the National Consultation Committee on Racial Integration (NCCRI) is to co-ordinate and facilitate the creation of a strategy for the development of opportunities for participation in football and to prevent the spread of racism in football in this country."

Mr. Delaney said one of the highlights of the year was the appointment of 14 new Development Officers through the joint FAI/Local Authority football development initiative.

"The new community/development officers are making a real difference, particularly in underprivileged areas as they implement football programmes while working with the community tackling the issues of social exclusion and integration", Delaney said.

The Show Racism the Red Card website will feature an interview with Des shortly when he is settled into the job.

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Basketball Ireland link to Show Racism the Red Card

Show Racism the Red Card and Basketball Ireland agree to promote eachothers activities. While the FAI have made a major step forward in their Summer appointment of a National Intercultural Co-ordinator, Des Tomlinson, people involved in other sports have indicated their willingness to work with Show Racism the Red Card.

Further reports on this work to follow.

For full listings of Irish International Basketball Matches at the NBA, Tallaght in August and September click on full story or link below.

A permanent link to www.basketballireland.ie will be on this site shortly



IRELAND


INTERNATIONAL BASKETBALL 2006

AT THE NATIONAL BASKETBALL ARENA, TALLAGHT
Friday 25 August TWO INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLIES
Senior Men Ireland vs Norway Tip Off 6:00 pm

Senior Women Ireland vs Luxembourg Tip Off 8:00 pm

Admission €5 (U16) €10 (Adult) €20 (family 2 + 2)

Saturday 26 August TWO INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLIES
Senior Men Norway vs Austria Tip Off 6:00 pm

Senior Women Ireland vs Portugal Tip Off 8:00 pm

Admission €5 (U16) €10 (Adult) €20 (family 2 + 2)

Sunday 27 August THREE INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLIES
Senior Women Portugal vs Luxembourg Tip Off 2:00 pm

Senior Men Iceland vs Norway Tip Off 4:00 pm

Senior Men Austria vs Ireland Tip Off 6:00 pm

Admission €5 (U16) €10 (Adult) €20 (family 2 + 2)

Monday 28 August THREE INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLIES
Senior Men Norway vs Austria Tip Off 4:00 pm

Senior Women Ireland vs Portugal Tip Off 6:00 pm

Senior Men Ireland vs Iceland Tip Off 8:00 pm

Admission €5 (U16) €10 (Adult) €20 (family 2 + 2)

SPECIAL OFFER
Buy ten tickets for any of the above dates and get five more of the same ticket type, FREE.






Saturday 9 September EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS

Senior Men Ireland vs Romania Tip Off 3:30 pm

Admission €10 (U16) €20 (Adult) €40 (family 2 + 2)


Saturday 16 September EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS

Senior Women Ireland vs Netherlands Tip Off 4:30 pm

Senior Men Ireland vs Cyprus Tip Off 7:00 pm

Admission €10 (U16) €20 (Adult) €40 (family 2 + 2)

SPECIAL OFFERS
Buy ten tickets for any of the above dates and get five more of the same ticket type, FREE.


TICKETS : 01 4590211

Or go online www.basketballireland.ie Buy a ticket for both the 9th and 16th and receive …

DISCOUNTS ….

eg 2 x €20 adult = €40 Less Discount €10 = €30 …..

eg 2 x €10 U16 = €20 Less Discount €5 = €15 ….

eg 2 x €40 family = €80 Less Discount €20 = €60

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Angola win the Irish African Nations Cup

The Somali United team at the African Nations Cup in Raheny
www.somaliunitedfc.com

For Full results click below.

Group 1

Poland 3 V Mosney Utd 1
Clontarf FC 1 V Congo 1
Poland 2 V Congo 0
Clontarf 0 V Mosney 1
Poland 1 V Clontarf 3
Congo 2 V Mosney 4

Group 2

Somalia 3 V Polonia 2
Polonia 0 V Somalia 1

Group 3

South Africa 2 V Zimbabwe 1
Nigeria 0 V Poland Naas 3
South Africa 2 V Poland Naas 0
Nigeria V Zimbabwe
South Africa V Nigeria
Poland Naas 2 V Zimbabwe 1

Group 4

Slovakia 1 V Angola 4
Polska 3 V Angola 4
Polska 4 V Slovakia 1


Group 4

Slovakia 1 V Angola 4
Polska 3 V Angola 4
Polska 4 V Slovakia 1


Semi- Final

Winners of Groups 1 and 2
Somalia 0 V Poland 0 (5:4 on penalties)

Winners of Groups 3 and 4
Angola 3 V Poland Naas 0


Final

Angola 3 V Somalia 1

Player of the Tournament - Nick Pedro (from Angola team)
Goalie of the Tournament - Barkhar Abdi Mooga ("Smoky") - From the Somalia team.
Winner of the Fairplay Award - Mosney United

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Racism prompts Cameroon player to leave Moscow club

Stephan Andre Bikey--a halfback for Moscow's Lokomotiv soccer team--is threatening to leave the team because of racism, according to an August 8, 2006 report by the Regnum news agency. Mr. Bikey was quoted as saying that: "It's hard to live here for a person with dark skin... The police won't protect you. Once three people came after me on the street, but I was able to run away. You need a gun to defend yourself." He was quick to say that Lokomotiv fans are not the problem, but that fans for other Russian soccer teams, especially Spartak, "direct a lot of negative emotions" towards him, motivated by racism.

© www.fsumonitor.com

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Firebomb attack on Poles

Migrant workers in Northern Ireland were yesterday taken to hospital after their house was set alight in a suspected racist attack by arsonists. Six Polish people were in the building on Castlereagh Road, Belfast, at about 2.30am when the fire started. Several people were treated for smoke inhalation and a 24-year-old man was arrested.

Progressive Unionist party east Belfast assemblyman David Ervine said racist attacks were unacceptable. 'This alerts us to people who are living in our community who are vulnerable. If there is an underlying sense [of racism] then we need to get on top of it and make it clear that it is wrong.' There have been attacks in the past in east Belfast, with the home of two Zimbabwean women being attacked. Neighbouring south Belfast has also seen racist damage to property.

© The Observer http://www.observer.co.uk/

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Irish African Nations Cup

This tournament is a family event and will be on Saint Anne's
(Near Raheny), which are the same pitches that the games of the Brian Kerr League has taken place.

The event will be a 1-day event - and will occur on Sunday the 13th of August.

This will be 11 A-side tournaments, and will start from 10:00 until 17:00 (approx time).

The tournament will be in the form of 4 groups of 4 teams; each team will play 3 group games, which will be 20 minutes, each half
(total of 40 minutes the whole match).

Squad of 18 players should be given in advance.
Substitutes can come on and off without any limitations.

Each group winner will advance to the semi-finals (no quarter finals).

The Final will take place around 16:00 and will be played 30 minutes each half (total of 60 minutes a game).

F.A.I. Accredited Officials will be in attendance.

Entry Fee 100 Euros per team.

Contact Gil Berkovich for more information: BerkowichG@zomax.ie

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Spain aiming for zero tolerance of racism - Minister

Madrid, July 2 (Reuters) - Spain's sports minister Jaime Lissavetzky has said the introduction of legislation to combat racism in sport is aimed at bringing about "zero tolerance" of the problem.



Lissavetzky has introduced a draft law proposing tougher measures to deal with the incidents of racism that have plagued Spanish sport, and in particular soccer, in recent years.

"We are aiming to develop a policy of zero tolerance with regard to acts of racism or xenophobia in sport," Lissavetzky was quoted as saying in Spanish daily El Pais on Sunday.

"There is no effective way of measuring degrees of racism, but there are certain types of behaviour such as racist chants and monkey noises that we cannot ignore."

Outbreaks of racist abuse by fans at Spanish stadiums has become commonplace in recent years, but the punishments given under existing law are light, with small fines for clubs the usual sanction meted out by the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF).

Lissavetzky said that larger fines, stadium closures, control of ultra groups of fans, the deduction of points and even forcible relegation would be included in the package of measures to combat the problem.

The law would also attempt to remove the legal obstacles that prevent foreigners from playing in Spain's non-professional lower divisions.

The draft proposals, which have the unanimous support of the Spanish parliament, will be debated from September and are likely to become law at the start of 2007.

The Spanish government has taken a keen interest in improving the legislation concerning sport and has also put forward a draft law which will introduce tougher measures to deal with the problem of doping.





Source: Rueters

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DVD documentary on migrant worker abuse scandal

This DVD documentary - produced with Framework Films - captures the historic struggle waged by the GAMA workers for justice. It shines a light on the gross exploitation that is the dark side of Ireland’s economic growth. It demonstrates that rather than migrant workers being used to undermine pay and conditions, with organisation, action and solidarity decent pay and conditions can be won for all workers.

The DVD is available at www.socialistparty.net

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Hoops Red Card to Racism

Basketball Ireland are making special efforts towards integration and interculturalism this weekend. Basketball is the top sport for many countries and this tourna,ent in Dublin's city centre is opportunity to watch great games and get to know new people.










STREETBALL NATIONWIDE (SBN)
AUGUST 5TH & 6th 2006


August 5th: 10-16 yr olds
August 6th: Over 16's
Basketball Ireland has teamed with Xynx Incorporated to present the 4th Annual Streetball Tournament, Streetball Nationwide (SBN).


The purpose of the event is to create awareness throughout Ireland of the many different cultures that inhabit the country, by bringing them together through a positive medium – sport.


By placing members of different cultures in the same event where they will work together towards a common goal, we hope to integrate different communities within Ireland, and promote cross-cultural relationships and understandings.


As has been done previous years, a tournament will be held in Dublin City Centre on Sunday August 6th. This tournament is open to Over 16's and will be run on a 5 V 5 basis.


However, completely new this year is the introduction of a one-day U16 Streetball event on the Saturday, August 5th. This event will also take place at Diamond Park on Gardiner Street and entry is completely FREE. The day will consist of skills, drills and scrimmages run by various SuperLeague coaches and players.


A selection of different arts and visual activities will be on show over the weekend, such as, graffiti designs, live music, urban dancing and cultural arts.


Xynx Inc. and Basketball Ireland would like to invite you to join us in this tournament festival, which will make this culturally prestigious event a great success.


Basketball Ireland and Xynx Incorporated are also hoping to bring this cultural event to other venues around the country in the coming months.


This weekend of good music, fun activities, and most importantly a showcase of high-level basketball, is not to be missed.


Tournament details:

Saturday Aug 5th

-Venue: Diamond Park on Gardiner Street

-Time: 13.00 - 17.00All are welcome. To register for Saturday's event please contact:

Lauren Carrigan at 01 4590211 or email: intern@basketballireland.ie


Sunday Aug 6th

-Entry fee: 25 Euro per person / 125 Euro per team (maximum 6 per team - allowing for one substitute)
-Venue: Diamond Park on Gardiner Street
-Time: 12.00-18.00

All are welcome. To register for Sunday please contact:

xynxstreetball@hotmail.com / timimartins@rapireland.com

Contact # 087-760-5485 / 083-304-8162

Spectators and walk up participants are also welcome on the day.
ENDS


For further info: Mags Moroney 01 459 0211

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