Post by QPR Report on Feb 5, 2009 8:30:54 GMT
They're trying. That's good.
PFA's Give Me Football
Show Racism the Red Card - Making a Difference
Anti Racism campaign has come on in leaps and bounds
By Dave Smith and Lawrie Madden February 04, 2009
Invited guests mingle with the stars at Old Trafford Gordon Taylor - You may never totally eradicate racism but we have responsibility as a football family to tackle these issues
Manchester United legends past and present – along with a host of other top players - were at Old Trafford last week for the premier of an educational film produced by Show Racism the Red Card and FIFPro.
‘Racism and the Beautiful Game’ is being launched worldwide as an example for other countries to follow, and the PFA is proud and delighted to continue to support this anti racism campaign.
PFA Chief Executive Gordon Taylor was present at what he described as ‘a great football day’ and thoroughly enjoyed the company of so many dedicated supporters of the SRTRC initiative.
Rio Ferdinand, Andy Cole and Bryan Robson were joined by the likes of John Barnes, Ade Akinbiyi, Jason Roberts, Morten Gamst Pedersen, Leroy Rosenior and Efe Sodje to mark the launch of the film, and to celebrate a campaign which has already achieved so much.
Gordon said: “I found the day very uplifting in so many ways and the whole occasion showed just how much the anti-racism campaign has come on leaps and bounds over the last decade or so.
“The large number of players and the calibre of players highlighted the campaign. The players had a real thorough knowledge and there was a very constructive dialogue with the children who were invited to attend.
“It was a credit to the players to give up their time and to relate their experiences to educate the next generation. It illustrated what football can do and also what footballers can do.
“Players have taken on board their social responsibilities and have embraced it with talks, the charities they support, their support of foundations and in other ways as well. They all should be applauded.”
Gordon added: “It shows that you can make a difference and by talking we can analyse the causes of racism and work out the innate fear of colour, creed or religion.
“I can relate back to the 70s and 80s when players were abused. I remember Clyde Best being abused when he played for West Ham, and also John Barnes and the bananas being thrown onto the pitch. There was, of course, West Brom’s famous ‘Three Degrees – Cyrille Regis, Brendon Batson and Laurie Cunningham – who all wanted to be known just as footballers.
“Everyone can make a difference because if we didn’t believe that we would not do anything. It is about respecting other people and also about respecting yourself.
“In the 80s we had hooliganism and grounds were closed down, we were banned from Europe for five years. But we worked hard and now have all-seater stadiums and have family enclosures for the kids and their families. So we did change things and it can be done.
“You may never eradicate racism but we have responsibility as a football family to tackle these issues. I said to the young kids that they can make a difference.
“There is a story I tell about making a difference...
There was a pastor in Nazi Germany who said when the Nazis were threatening world peace before the Second World War…
“When they came for the Communists I didn’t protest because I wasn’t a Communist….
“When they came for the Jews I didn’t protest because I wasn’t a Jew…
“When they came for the Trade Unionists, I didn’t protest because I wasn’t a Trade Unionist…
“When they came for me, there was no-one left to protest for me…
Gordon concludes: “We have come a long way but there is still racism and still work to do. Footballers can make a difference; children can make a difference – we can all make a difference.”
www.givemefootball.com/pfa/pfa-news/show-racism-the-red-card-making-a-difference
PFA's Give Me Football
Show Racism the Red Card - Making a Difference
Anti Racism campaign has come on in leaps and bounds
By Dave Smith and Lawrie Madden February 04, 2009
Invited guests mingle with the stars at Old Trafford Gordon Taylor - You may never totally eradicate racism but we have responsibility as a football family to tackle these issues
Manchester United legends past and present – along with a host of other top players - were at Old Trafford last week for the premier of an educational film produced by Show Racism the Red Card and FIFPro.
‘Racism and the Beautiful Game’ is being launched worldwide as an example for other countries to follow, and the PFA is proud and delighted to continue to support this anti racism campaign.
PFA Chief Executive Gordon Taylor was present at what he described as ‘a great football day’ and thoroughly enjoyed the company of so many dedicated supporters of the SRTRC initiative.
Rio Ferdinand, Andy Cole and Bryan Robson were joined by the likes of John Barnes, Ade Akinbiyi, Jason Roberts, Morten Gamst Pedersen, Leroy Rosenior and Efe Sodje to mark the launch of the film, and to celebrate a campaign which has already achieved so much.
Gordon said: “I found the day very uplifting in so many ways and the whole occasion showed just how much the anti-racism campaign has come on leaps and bounds over the last decade or so.
“The large number of players and the calibre of players highlighted the campaign. The players had a real thorough knowledge and there was a very constructive dialogue with the children who were invited to attend.
“It was a credit to the players to give up their time and to relate their experiences to educate the next generation. It illustrated what football can do and also what footballers can do.
“Players have taken on board their social responsibilities and have embraced it with talks, the charities they support, their support of foundations and in other ways as well. They all should be applauded.”
Gordon added: “It shows that you can make a difference and by talking we can analyse the causes of racism and work out the innate fear of colour, creed or religion.
“I can relate back to the 70s and 80s when players were abused. I remember Clyde Best being abused when he played for West Ham, and also John Barnes and the bananas being thrown onto the pitch. There was, of course, West Brom’s famous ‘Three Degrees – Cyrille Regis, Brendon Batson and Laurie Cunningham – who all wanted to be known just as footballers.
“Everyone can make a difference because if we didn’t believe that we would not do anything. It is about respecting other people and also about respecting yourself.
“In the 80s we had hooliganism and grounds were closed down, we were banned from Europe for five years. But we worked hard and now have all-seater stadiums and have family enclosures for the kids and their families. So we did change things and it can be done.
“You may never eradicate racism but we have responsibility as a football family to tackle these issues. I said to the young kids that they can make a difference.
“There is a story I tell about making a difference...
There was a pastor in Nazi Germany who said when the Nazis were threatening world peace before the Second World War…
“When they came for the Communists I didn’t protest because I wasn’t a Communist….
“When they came for the Jews I didn’t protest because I wasn’t a Jew…
“When they came for the Trade Unionists, I didn’t protest because I wasn’t a Trade Unionist…
“When they came for me, there was no-one left to protest for me…
Gordon concludes: “We have come a long way but there is still racism and still work to do. Footballers can make a difference; children can make a difference – we can all make a difference.”
www.givemefootball.com/pfa/pfa-news/show-racism-the-red-card-making-a-difference