FIFPRO with Show Racism the Red Card International

Pictured: Brendan Archbold (Solidarity officer ICTU and Vice- Chair Show Racism the Red Card, Garrett Mullan (National Co-ordinator of Show Racism the Red Card Ireland) and FIFPRO Ambassador Paul Elliot

Show Racism the Red Card Ireland visited Hampden Park, Scotland’s National Stadium, for a one-day seminar bringing together key representatives of similar projects, local councils. Tony Higgins (FIFPRO) and ex- Celtic and Chelsea star Paul Elliot were among those to address the meetings.



The seminar at Scotland’s national stadium had two parts: In the morning the launch of a Good Practice Guide for local government authorities aimed at the UK’s local councils. The afternoon session involved representatives from the professional players’ football associations of England, Ireland, Wales, Denmark and Norway. All these countries have agreed to implement the Show Racism The Red Card Campaign that originated in the UK.

FIFPro is an active sponsor of Show Racism the Red Card and is promoting the initiative across Europe urging countries to adopt and implement the good practice developed in Scotland and England.



Pictured: PFAI's Sharon Smith with Garrett Mullan and Paul Elliot

In Scotland, Show Racism the Red Card is active in schools across the nation in the shape of a programme developed in conjunction with The Scottish Professional Footballers’ Association (SPFA) titled ‘Coaching With a Conscience’.

This is a project where professional footballers and former players go into schools and get the anti-racism message, along with other positive social messages, across to children utilising football coaching, the profile of the players and the interest in Scotland’s national sport as a means of engaging the interest of the children.

One area that the project has been particularly successful has been in challenging and positively changing perception of new communities such as asylum seekers.

FIFPro General Secretary Theo van Seggelen comments: “The nations that attended Hampden Park recognise the iconic value of utilising footballers to get important social messages across to children and society as a whole.

The work carried out by Show Racism The Red Card Initiative in conjunction with players provided by the Scottish Professional Footballers’ Association is very impressive and a perfect example for other countries to utilise in addressing racism and developing children who respect and appreciate diversity in their society.’

Tony Higgins, Chairman of FIFPro’s anti-racism committee comments: “Professional football has an excellent number of role models who can work in the community and to overcome social threats such as racism in society. FIFPro is delighted to support the excellent work of Show Racism The Red Card.”

Former Celtic and Chelsea star Paul Elliott MBE works as an Ambassador for FIFPro and Patron for Show Racism the Red Card. He will be attending the conference at Hampden and comments: “Football and footballers can play a highly influential part in getting the anti-racism message across to children.

Receiving the right message at a young age can set the foundations for the development of a well-balanced adult who respects people of all backgrounds, nationalities, skin colour, religion or none.”

The Hampden event in Glasgow was hosted by Billy Singh, Scotland’s Campaign Co-ordinator for Show Racism the Red Card. “The aim of this guide is to increase the number of local authorities working in partnership with our campaign and to spread the anti-racism message across Europe through the medium of Football.

“With FIFPro’s help, we undertake direct work in schools with footballers combining the anti-racism message with football training.”

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Intercultural week report

Show Racism the Red Card has had a busy week as UN Intercultural Week concludes today. From joint workshops with the FAI Intercultural officer with school groups in South Dublin on Wednesday and Thursday and our launch at Bohemians on Friday to the Mosney Reception Centre open day on Sunday.

Our activity for intercultural week kicked off with on Friday March 16th at Mount Carmel's secondary school's intercultural day. Together with the FAI Intercultural Co-ordinator Show Racism the Red Card delivered three very well received workshops with students in the school.



On Wednesday 21st and 22nd, Show Racism the Red Card with the FAI Intercultural Co-ordinator delivered a workshop for 120 pupils from 3 primary schools and 3 secondary from Tallaght, Lucan and Clondalkin before they participated in a football blitz hosted by the South Dublin Council/ FAI Football in the community development officers.


Our Unite Club with Communities campaign got off to a fantastic start with a lively interactive events involving over 60 pupils from 8 inner city primary and secondary level schools with Liam Burns and Dean Pooley of Bohemian FC, who were joined by ex-Ireland international Curtis Fleming, Tsiki Duma (Mosney United) and pupils from Balbriggan Community College who recently won an award from Fingal Council for their work against racism.



Stephen Mc Guinness (Acting General Secretary of the PFAI) compered the event while Noel Mooney (National Club Promotions Officer with the eircom League of Ireland) compered the Q&A session which was described by panellists as 'hard'.

Fran Gavin (Chairman of Show Racism the Red Card and Director of the eircom League of Ireland) spoke about the campaign within the league and reported the progress from the pilot projects delivered last year.









Signing up to implementing UEFA 10 point plan against racism

Des Tomlinson (FAI Intercultural Programme Co-ordinator) spoke about the forthcoming intercultural plan soon to be published by the FAI with recommendations on promoting participation and support on the part of black and ethnic minority communities within Irish football. He spoke about the roll out of the UEFA 10 point plan against racism, and the good practice fund being put in place to support clubs to implement the plan.



Garrett Mullan (National Co-ordinator for Show Racism the Red Card) spoke about the projects work with clubs and immigrant communities and added that at the top of our agenda is the production of an educational DVD which would harness the role model status and profile of top stars in Irish football, GAA, rugby and other sports for anti-racism education.

Show Racism the Red Card had a stall at the first open day at Mosney Accommodation Centre which attracted hundreds of locals who have not visited the centre since it has been transformed into an asylum seeker reception. Residents of Mosney pitched stalls with facts, food and dress of their countries. Outside, the FAI Local Development Officers delivered coaching to kids, while inside the stalls were on display. The open day concluded with some fantastic music from an Irish band, Congolese band Adorons l'Eternel, and a full concerto rehearsal from Dublin Youth Orchestra.

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Cork City FC united with Polish community

By Adrian Desmond

Cork City FC continued it`s Investment in the Community programme last weekend by sponsoring a Polish soccer tournament in conjunction with Beamish.

The tournament took place out in Nemo Rangers astro turf pitches and the event turned out to be a wonderful success. Over 80 Polish players participated in the tournament and there was a particularly high standard of football throughout the competiton. Cork City FC players Darren Murphy and Admir Softic keenly watched the matches and they were quick to note the high standard of play. Many of the players involved played competitive soccer in Poland before they came to Ireland. Admir Softic, himself from a foreign background commented “the tournament is a fantastic opportunity for foreign players to play the game again and keep fit.”


Over 300 spectators keenly watched the qualifying rounds, semi finals and final. Team Corona were eventually victorious, winning the final 2 - 0. Krzysztof Pawlik was the highest scorer in the competition and was also named Player of the Tournament. All the members of the winning team have been invited to Turner`s Cross tonight to celebrate their win. Eric from MyCork Magazine, a Polish magazine produced in Cork, was the main organizer of the tournament.

He was so pleased with the great number who participated, the high standard of play and the amazing supporters, who braved the extremes of Irish weather, he has decided to begin a league competition. Cork City FC are delighted to announce they will be sponsoring the competition and are hoping to build a lasting relationship with the Polish community. It seems only a matter of time before a Polish player breaks into the City squad.

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Unite Club with Community at Bohemian FC

Bohs boss gives Racism the Red Card at the team photoshoot

The roll out of Show Racism the Red Card's Eircom League of Ireland season begins this Friday with the launch of the Bohemian FC poster.


Following a pilot intiative in 2006, Show Racism the Red Card will be affiliating with all twelve clubs in the Eircom League of Ireland Premier Division. The campaign will roll out at Bohemian FC, this Friday 23rd March where former League of Ireland and Irish International, Curtis Fleming, will be presented as FIFPRO’s Anti Racism Ambassador for Show Racism the Red Card.

The roll out of the Eircom League of Ireland and Show Racism the Red Card campaign to enable clubs to be the catalyst for community integration. It will also mark the roll out of UEFA’s ten point plan against racism.

Bohemian FC have already been a leader in reaching out to all sections of the community including the immigrant community. The club have been actively pursuing this work through the translation of club material into seven languages and in their work with SARI and Show Racism the Red Card.

Show Racism the Red Card and the new Club Promotions Officers at Bohemian FC have been planning a campaign to promote more activity involving the club and the community. They have met with local schools, area partnerships and immigrant organisations with a view to planning work that brings people of all communities around the club.

The campaign launches on Friday 23rd March with the distribution of 5,000 posters of the squad bearing the slogan Show Racism the Red Card. The launch will be followed up by the Club Promotions Officers linking with schools, youth and community organisations over the course of the season on a range of initiatives.

Following a presentation of the Show Racism the Red Card DVD, young people present on the day will have the opportunity to interact with club stars Captain Kevin Hunt and newcomers Harpal Singh and Darren Mansaram in a questions and answers session on racism in football and society. There will be a range of prizes for best questions including shirts and match tickets.

Date - Friday 23rd March 2007
Venue - Dalymount Park
Time - 1pm

For further information: Dave Russell/ Gerri O’ Neill, Club Promotions Officers- 8680923
Garrett Mullan National Co-ordinator for Show Racism the Red Card- 086 392 7650

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Mosney Utd Vs Drogheda Gardai at Reception Centre Open Day

Drogheda Garda will play Mosney United FC will be a highlight event for the Mosney Asylum Accommodation Centre open day at Mosney Accommodation Centre on Sunday 25th March.


To coincide with Intercultural and Anti Racism Week, asylum seekers support service SPIRASI Asylum Refugee Counselling and Support Service together with the other services supported by the VEC (Vocational Educational Committee) and HSE (Health Service Executive) are hosting an Open Day in Mosney Accommodation Centre on Sunday 25th March. The theme for the day is Cultural Connections.

It will be an opportunity for local residents in the surrounding areas of Balbriggan, Julianstown and Drogheda and beyond to visit the centre and observe how it has changed from being a holiday resort and popular day trip venue to its present use which accommodates up to 400 people seeking refugee status.

There will be information on the transition of Mosney from a holiday centre to an accommodation centre and on the array of different cultures living here. The day will consist of a variety of events covering cultural foods, dress, dance, music (Adorons L'Eternel from the DR Congo), children's activities among other things.

There will be a football match, Mosney Utd vs Drogheda Gardai and the FAI will be hosting a coaching clinic for kids. It will be rounded off by a performance from the Dublin Youth Orchestra who will perform at approx 6 pm.

All are welcome and invited to drop in any-time throughout the day - the event is Free. For more details, or if you would be interested in participating actively in any of the events please contact Audrey on 087 694 9988, or just drop in on the day.

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Lawrie Sanchez backs anti-racism campaign

Lawrie Sanchez backs Anti-Racism Campaign

Northern Ireland football boss Lawrie Sanchez is praising the Amalgamation of Official Northern Ireland Supporters Clubs, Belfast City Council and the Irish League Forums Supporters Group for supporting a Belfast wide Football For All Anti-Racism Advertising Campaign as part of the Irish Football Association’s Anti-Racism Month in March:

“With support from Belfast City Council’s Good Relations Fund the IFA’s Football For All Community Relations Department is working in partnership with Supporters from the Irish League Forums Supporters Group and the Amalgamation of Official Northern Ireland Supporters Clubs to design and produce an Anti-Racism Poster to be used in an advertising campaign across Belfast being launched this week. Racism is a serious problem and I feel football Fans in Northern Ireland deserve praise for supporting this Anti-Racism initiative. Supporters are the lifeblood of local football and it is very encouraging they are at the heart of the IFA’s Football For All Anti-Racism Campaign”.

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Show Racism the Red Card appoint National Co-ordinator

Further to a grant from the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform's Fund for the Integration of Immigrants, Show Racism the Red Card Ireland has appointed Garrett Mullan as Co-ordinator of the project to deliver on its aims and objectives.
Show Racism the Red Card aims to harness the profile of sports stars and others for anti-racism education towards the promotion of intercultural activity serving to integration, increased community cohesion and development of our community.
Chairman of Show Racism the Red Card Ireland Mr Fran Gavin said: "Chairman of Show Racism the Red Card Ireland Mr Fran Gavin said: "I am delighted that Garrett Mullan has been appointed as full time co-ordinator. It is a clear indication of Show Racism the Red Card's intention to promote awareness and integration in sport over the next few years".
Among those who support the campaign are Niall Quinn, Curtis Fleming, Mark Rutherford (St Patrick's Athletic), Declan O'Brien (Drogheda United) Gaelic Players Chief Executive Dessie Farrell and a host of the country’s top GAA stars along with others within Irish sport and many of the most famous faces in the English and Scottish Premier Leagues.
Show Racism the Red Card will launch on March 23rd it's programme within the Eircom League which is entitled 'Uniting Clubs with their communities'. This project will involve 12 Eircom League of Ireland premier division clubs, follows our highly successful pilot initiative with Drogheda United, Galway United and Shamrock Rovers in 2006 where we worked with the clubs on a range of community oriented initiatives.
We participate on the FAI Intercultural Advisory Group alongside the Department of Justice, NCCRI and SARI and are having input into its strategic plan currently under consultation. This project will involve 12 Eircom League of Ireland premier division clubs, follows our highly successful pilot initiative with Drogheda United, Galway United and Shamrock Rovers in 2006 where we worked with the clubs on a range of community oriented initiatives. We participate on the FAI Intercultural Advisory Group alongside the Department of Justice, NCCRI and SARI and are having input into its strategic plan currently under consultation.
We are also working with the Gaelic Players Association to deliver on a unique initiative to introduce Gaelic Games to adult immigrants. While recognising the great work done by the GAA with young people, this initiative seeks to encourage adults to experience the positive influence of Gaelic Games through the integration of their children while also catering for those who are curious about our national game.
We are working on a partnership agreement with Basketball Ireland on promoting the project and initiatives geared to increasing activity and participation within Basketball Ireland on the part of people of all cultures. We will be working over the next months to deliver a DVD educational resource primarily for use in the schools but also for use in youth centres and other training and educational arenas.
The DVD will be a resource harnessing some of the top names in Irish sport for anti-racism education. It will be a tool for educators to address the issue of racism within schools, the workplace and the community. For further contact and information, please phone Mr Garrett Mullan @ 086 392 7650 or email: info@theredcard.ie

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Referees group fined over traveller discrimination

Referee Robbie Stokes was twice denied a transfer to the Roscommon branch of the Irish Soccer Referees Society from the Longford Referees Society. The Irish Referees Association was fined €5,000 following his appeal to the Equality tribunal. Robbie said that the 'only possible reason was discrimination against travellers especially because there is a crisis in the number of referees in the country'. See link for full story http://www.rte.ie/news/2007/0308/6news_av.html?2226968,null,230

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Polish games on Irish TV

Many aspects of Ireland are adapting to our new residents and this is reflected in the increased outlets of foreign language media in Ireland. Setanta Sports are showing Poland's European Qualifiers in the remainder of the campaign.

For Poles its an opportunity to follow their country and the games will provide a talking point for Irish people to interact with Poles new to this country. One of the most popular articles on this website is the feature on the Polish in Ireland.

http://www.theredcard.ie/news/2006/03/spotlight-on-nation-polish-in-ireland.html
2007 Live On Setanta Sports

GAME ONE: March 24th Azerbaijan v Poland

GAME TWO: March 28th Armenia v Poland

GAME THREE June 2nd Poland v Azerbaijan

GAME FOUR June 6th Armenia v Poland

GAME FIVE Sept 8th Portugal v Poland

GAME SIX Sept 12th Finland v Poland

GAME SEVEN October 13th Poland v Kazakhstan

GAME EIGHT November 17th Poland v Belgium

GAME NINE November 21st Serbia v Poland

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