FOOTBALL THE BEAUTIFUL GAME

srtrc_launch
With Leroy Rosenior and Zesh Rehman at the SRtRC launch

I was very pleased to host the launch of Show Racism the Red Card’s new campaign office in London and the South-East at a well-attended event in London’s Living Room at City Hall on Wednesday night. I look forward to SRtRC bringing their successful anti-racist work with young people here from their base in the North East.

Most fans judge players by the colour of their jersey and not their skin, yet we are in danger of the seeing the beautiful game taken over by the likes of the English Defence League, who are misusing football to incite hatred. SRtRC’s campaign promotes the true spirit of football – respect, multiculturalism and diversity.

This will be well reflected at the World Cup next year in South Africa, as well as illustrated every weekend up and down the country in the Premiership and Championship games. And remember London won the 2012 Olympics on this basis as well.

On the back of this launch, l am glad to see that the Islam Channel and Eastern Eye have also picked up on the issue.

One thought on “FOOTBALL THE BEAUTIFUL GAME

  1. Carl Parker

    As a black football supporter that has travelled to many away matches this year in the Championship I think most grounds around the country have taken huge steps in eradicating racism from the terraces.

    Obviously, without getting complacent I think football support in England is way more multi-cultural with a much more diverse and representative fanbase than other European countries.

    Incidentally, there is a song for the 2010 World Cup called the The Beautiful
    Game
    that has these words on the website:

    Football transcends all barriers: language, race, geography, age, privilege, poverty. It is a universal language which sparks universally shared sentiments, emotions and aspirations – The Beautiful Game

    Reply

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