“Kick Racism Out of Football” says John Battle MP

John supports the National Anti-Racism Week of Action in Football 2004.

He said, “The Week of Action sends out a good strong message that football is for everyone and racism has no place in the game, at any level from the playground to the World Cup. I invite United supporters to get behind the Week and shout the message loud and clear – Kick Racism Out of Football.”

From 14-26 October 2004 professional footballers, their clubs, community groups and fans will join forces and unite behind Kick It Out for the National Anti-Racism Week of Action.

The week will celebrate the contribution made to football by black, Asian and other ethnic minorities across the country, and challenge racism within the game.

In 2003 92 professional clubs organised an event as part of the week, alongside 400 community groups, schools and libraries. Leeds United involved thousands of fans in a “United Against Racism” flag-raising last year.

£1,000 grants from the Football Foundation Community Chest are available to local clubs, schools and youth groups to put on events; last year Matthew Murray High School led a project researching the life of Albert Johannsen, the first black footballer to play for Leeds United.

This year National Anti-Racism Week times in with Black History Month, and with the start of Ramadan, the most important month in the Islamic calendar. Muslims are asked to fast from dawn until dusk – except the sick, the elderly, the pregnant and the very young.

The Week of Action is funded by the FA, the Professional Footballers Association, the Premier League and the Football Foundation.

©John Battle MP 14 October 2004

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