Real Hearts supporters Kick-Out Bigotry
by FFA - at 2007-12-08 14:07:11

Hearts grassroots supporters organisation - True Hearts Against Bigotry (THAB) - added their voice to Scotttish football's united campaign against sectarianism on Saturday 8th December.

A group of volunteers from THAB dedicated time and commitment prior to kick-off to help distribute Kick-Out Bigotry information and beermats to supporters around Tynecastle Stadium.

THAB's action is the latest in a series of Kick-Out Bigotry fan actions taking place during November and December, demonstrating that the overwhelming majority of Scottish football supporters have had enough of the sectarianism and religious hatred associated with football.

Football For All extends sincere thanks to THAB volunteers for their ongoing support and look forward to working with the organisation on many actions in the future.

Well Supporters Trust add their voice
by FFA - at 2007-12-08 14:03:24

Motherwell FC Supporters Trust added their voice to the Kick-Out Bigotry campaign on Saturday 1st December by distributing over 2,000 KOB information leaflets to fans on their approach to Fir Park stadium.

In addition, 1,000 beermats bearing the slogan:

"Here's to the fitba'...
Without the BIGoted MOUTHS"

were distributed in football pubs and clubs surrounding the stadium.

A spokesman for the Trust said:

"Bigotry is something which affects us all and although religious bigotry is not an issue which has traditionally been evident at Fir Park we all have a responsibility to challenge it from whatever its source and wherever it occurs."

Football For All extends sincere thanks to all at the Well Trust for their excellent support for the Kick-Out Bigotry campaign.

Herriot-Watt tackling discrimination
by FFA - at 2007-11-28 20:31:59

Heriot-Watt University has teamed up with anti-discrimination organisation Football For All (FFA) and the Scottish players’ union to run a series of innovative workshops using football as a vehicle to discuss religious bigotry and other forms of discrimination.

The scheme allows Heriot-Watt students the opportunity to learn about community cohesion in football and society. Workshops are delivered by players from Scotland’s professional players union including ex-Heart of Midlothian FC player Derek Ferguson and ex-Celtic FC forward Gerry Britton.

Speaking at the event, current Stranraer FC Gerry Britton said:

"These workshops are great examples of how professional football can be used positively in our society. The workshops are a vital part of the footballers union's aim to help eradicate all forms of
discrimination in Scotland".

Football For All Campaign Director Roddy McNulty said:

“This scheme addresses complex issues in an intelligent way, using professional players as role models to deliver an important message about community cohesion.
Football For All intends to roll this scheme out to all of Scotland’s third level institutions in the year ahead.”

Sharan Virdee, Heriot-Watt’s Equality and Diversity Advisor said:

“We’re delighted to be involved with this initiative. Sport is a very important part of Heriot-Watt life, and, as Scotland’s most international university, we are pro-active in promoting equality and inclusivity.
“We are very supportive of efforts by Football For All and the footballing community to address the issue of sectarianism as a particular issue for the sport in Scotland, and we hope to build on this experience in future activities.”

Bairns Against Bigotry
by BairnsTrust - at 2007-11-28 19:46:32

Falkirk V Rangers SPL Sat 24/11/07

By BairnsTrust

BairnsTrust and Falkirk FC eagerly approached this inaugural campaign in the lead up and at the SPL live Setanta game of the day v Rangers on Sat 24/11/07.

BairnsTrust's Committee were active in the preceding days going round over 24 local pubs distributing 1,000 KOB branded beermats. Reaction was encouraging.

Given the Category A status of the game, fearful the game's Match Commander would prevent the campaign on the Friday evening. Delighted to be advised on Saturday we could target all areas of the ground.

Always in need of more volunteers to distribute the 4,000 KOB cards BairnsTrust were still able to have full ground coverage, including kiosks and turnstiles.

BairnsTrust were able to brief our special guest Nicola Sturgeon, MSP of the full campaign on touring the Stadium.

Both sets of players did their part with the special t-shirts ensuring the message got across.

The work up-to kick-off meant the event was a great success.

Welcome
by FFA - at 2007-11-19 22:16:45

Welcome to Kick-Out Bigotry, Scottish football’s united campaign against sectarianism. Before every Clydesdale Bank Premier League match this weekend, the players will put aside their rivalry in a united stand against religious bigotry.

Football is a sport that is followed by all, and should be an enjoyable experience for all, whatever their religious faith, beliefs or ethnic background.

The Kick-out Bigotry campaign is co-ordinated by Scottish charitable organisation Football for All (FFA), and is sponsored by the Scottish Government, the Scottish FA, UEFA, Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE), and Fifpro – the world players union.

Progress
FFA welcome the progress that has been made in tackling religious bigotry in recent seasons. Scottish Premier League clubs have established community education programmes, while some have imposed definite and indefinite bans on fans who continue with sectarian behaviour, despite the warnings. In addition, rules have now been established on Unacceptable Conduct, including religious discrimination, in line with UEFA and Fifa’s disciplinary codes.

Although this weekend's action focuses on Scottish Premier League fixtures, campaign partners the Scottish Football League, Scottish Women's Football and The Scottish Amateur Football Association have also been instrumental in adding their voice to the campaign.

The football family has made positive progress, but much work remains to be done. Everyone involved in Scottish football has a responsibility to ensure anti-sectarian action is effective, consistent and united if we are to confine sectarianism and religious bigotry to Scottish football history.

Ongoing campaign
Kick-Out Bigotry is a central component of that continuing action and FFA is co-ordinating the following nationwide action over the next month:

• Kick-Out Bigotry pledge campaign
• Radio awareness campaign
• KOB mobile messaging
• KOB public transport messages
• KOB stadium perimeter hoardings
• kickoutbigotry.org website development
• Sectarian incident monitoring programme established
• Distribution of 10,000 KOB beermats by football fans to football fans
• Distribution of 100,000 KOB information leaflets by football fans to football fans

In partnership with Scotland’s football players’ union, FFA also runs a national educational programme in Scotland’s schools, colleges and universities, driving home the message that bigoted attitudes have no place in our national sport, or anywhere else in a modern Scotland. All of our educational work uses the role model status of professional footballers to deliver an inclusive educational message to participants from all religious faiths, and none.

Add your voice
Football fans at all levels have made a positive contribution to the Kick-Out Bigotry campaign and many supporters’ organisations will be actively involved in Kick-Out Bigotry information distribution over the coming weeks (special mention to the ArabTrust, the BairnsTrust, the Clydebank Trust, the Heart of Midlothian Trust, and the Well Trust).

The overwhelming majority of fans have had enough of the sectarian hatred associated with Scottish football so please add your voice to the campaign from today, Tuesday 20th November by:

• Signing the Kick-Out Bigotry pledge
• Having your say in the fan forum
• Using the Sectarian Incident Notification form

Football uniting against religious bigotry
by FFA - at 2007-11-10 23:10:13

Over the weekend 24th-25th November 2007, all 12 Scottish Premierleague clubs will put aside their footballing rivalry in a united stand against religious bigotry in football.

Every SPL club and 1st team player will be involved in the nationwide action showing their support for the Kick-out Bigotry campaign.

The action weekend will kick-start a month of activities across Scotland, supported by some of the nation's top celebrities, to promote sectarian-free zones including:

- Sectarian incident monitoring

- Kick-Out Bigotry messages in football pubs and clubs

- Kick-Out Bigotry messages in and around football stadia

- Kick-Out Bigotry media campaign

- Kick-Out Bigotry educational campaign

Supporters' organisations from several SPL clubs will be leading information distribution on a local level - please contact us at info@footballforall.org.uk if your fan organisation would like to become involved.

Dundee unites against religious hatred
by FFA - at 2007-10-03 00:34:27

Tannadice Park hosted Scotland's inaugural 'Kick-Out Bigotry' event on 27th September organised jointly by Dundee's two professional football clubs, with added support from the two respective supporters' trusts - Dee4Life and ArabTRUST.

150 pupils from a mixture of denominational and non-denominational Dundee primary schools attended the event which included an anti-sectarianism question and answer session with DUFC manager Craig Levein, Dundee assistant manager David Farrell, and DUFC players including Sean Dillon and Jon Daly.

Speaking at the event, DUFC Manager Craig Levein said:

"Sectarianism has no place in football and no place in our society. Although Dundee United is not associated with such behaviour, none of us can afford to be complacent and we are therefore pleased to give our support to this national campaign to kick out bigotry."

Sean Dillon of DUFC added:

"There is simply no excuse for sectarian behaviour in the 21st century, and it is up to us, as responsible players, to take a lead by encouraging youngsters not to participate in sectarian behaviour and to challenge such behaviour in their friends. I know that together, we can make a real difference and give it the boot."

Mike Barile, Associate Director DUFC said:

"I am delighted that DUFC and the ArabTRUST are able to support the national campaign against sectarianism by hosting this ground-breaking seminar today at Tannadice. For far too long bigoted behaviour has been a scar on some aspects of Scottish football. The images of abusive chanting from the stands is simply unacceptable. Young Dundonians have an important role to play in challenging sectarian behaviour when they see or hear it in their classroom or their community."

Kick-Out Bigotry Campaign Director Roddy McNulty said:

"Both Dundee clubs have put aside their football rivalry today to send out a powerful, united message - Dundee City rejects religious hatred. The supporters' organisations deserve great credit for arranging this event, which could provide a model for fans' organizations in Scotland's other major cities. United efforts like this will be crucial if we are to confine religious bigotry to Scottish football history."

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