This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Racism gets the red card
27/10/2003
Racism in Scottish football is set to be tackled by a
full time worker backed by cash from the Executive and the
Scottish Football Association (SFA).
The 'Show Racism the Red Card' charity has just
appointed Roddy McNulty as the new Education Development
Worker for Scotland to work with school children and
football clubs. It uses professional footballers as
anti-racist role models.
Scotland boss Berti Vogts and top SPL players Ronald de
Boer (Rangers), Steven Boyack (Hearts), Gary Locke
(Kilmarnock), Stephen Crainey (Celtic), Ulrik Laursen
(Celtic), Brent Sancho (Dundee), Yannick Zambernardi
(Hibs), Jamie McQuillan (Aberdeen) and Derek Whyte (Partick
Thistle) are all backing the campaign.
Around 175,000 pounds will go towards the post,
supporting educational materials for schools, posters and
an anti-racism video featuring top stars from Scottish
clubs.
The Deputy Communities Minister, Mary Mulligan, said:
"Nobody should suffer because of their race, nationality or
beliefs. Racism must not be tolerated. We support this high
profile campaign because it will educate and influence
attitudes in young people. It complements our own 'One
Scotland. Many Cultures' campaign which highlighted the
problem of racism in Scotland, particularly since one of
the key targets for the next phase is raising awareness in
young people."
David Taylor, the SFA's Chief Executive, said the new
post would help to change attitudes: "This new appointment
will help us to keep up the pressure on racism in Scotland,
particularly to tackle the problem of supporters who
racially abuse players from opposing teams or rival
supporters. We are serious about this problem and I am
sure that it can be tackled through an education led
campaign which will use football to set a good
example."
Roddy McNulty, Show Racism the Red Card's newly
appointed Educational Development Worker said: "We are
delighted that funding has been secured for this post at a
time when racist attacks are increasing in Scottish
society. Over the next three years, Show Racism the Red
Card will be using the vehicle of professional football to
combat racism. Education is the key to stopping racism in
the long-term - we want to reach every young person in
Scotland with our anti-racist materials and events. We also
look forward to working with all people and organisations
who are committed to ending racism in football and
society."
The Executive is committed to tackling racism and
promoting race equality and this was reaffirmed in the
Partnership Agreement. The 'One Scotland. Many Cultures'
campaign was launched last year. The second phase is being
developed where the key themes will be raising awareness in
young people and tackling racism in the workplace.
www.onescotland.com
'Show Racism the Red Card' is a GB wide anti-racism
charity. It produces educational resources and is supported
by high profile professional footballers. This funding will
enable them to employ a full time worker, establish an
office in Scotland and produce tailored resources for work
with Scottish schools and youth groups.
www.srtrc.org
The Development Worker will develop links between the
football clubs, football authorities and local authorities
in Scotland. He will organise at least six high profile
events at football clubs in the first year and work with
the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) to run a
schools competition. Once the programme is established,
volunteers will be recruited and trained to work in
schools.
A Scottish Advisory Committee will oversee the work in
Scotland and produce reports for Show Racism the Red
Card's' Management Committee and project partners.
The funding breakdown is as follows: £75,000 from the
Scottish Executive (2003-2006), £25,000 from UEFA and the
SFA (2003/04), £75,000 from Show Racism the Red Card's own
reserves and funding in kind from the EIS.
Roddy McNulty graduated from Glasgow University in 1994
in politics and archaeology. He was active in the Anti-Nazi
League before moving to Ireland to work as a Refugee and
Asylum Seeker Integration officer. In 2000, he worked in
Guatemala exhuming massacre graves from and recording
survivors testimonies, before returning to Scotland to work
for Amnesty International. In May 2003, he co-ordinated
'Scotland United', Amnesty's five-a-side football
competition, campaigning against racial and religious
hatred in Scottish football and society.