Irish combat racism

National associations across Europe are helping UEFA and its partner, the Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) network, in the fight to eliminate racism and intolerance in the game.

Full swing
FARE's annual Action Week against racism is in full swing - and last week's UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying matches gave the associations an ideal opportunity to join in the campaign. One shining example of work being undertaken in the activities against racism comes from the Republic of Ireland. During the FARE Action Week, the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) has called on all of its clubs and associates to support this week of activity. "We want people of all nationalities, ethnicities and cultures who live in Ireland to be part of Irish football," the FAI said.

Football initiative
In June of this year, Irish football legend Paul McGrath launched an important FAI football initiative 'The Intercultural football Plan - Many Voices One Goal' - a plan developed in conjunction with the FAI's Football Intercultural Advisory Group, which is aimed at encouraging more people from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds to get involved with the game and contribute towards mutual understanding and integration in Ireland.

EURO match
At the EURO Group D qualifier between the Republic of Ireland and Cyprus in Dublin last Wednesday, a special six-a-side match took place between under-13 players from Plás Mhuire Boys National School and Scoil Mhuire's Iosaf Girls National School. In recent years, these schools and the communities in which they are situated have become home to people from all corners of the globe - from Romania to the Philippines, from Venezuela to Nigeria and many other countries in-between. Pupils come from approximately 25 different countries.

Learning and supporting
The pupils, parents and staffs of the schools have been to the forefront in creating an inclusive, welcoming and anti-racist atmosphere in which members of the new communities and members of the established inner city north Dublin community learn from and support each other in the creation of a truly inclusive and intercultural atmosphere.

Woman referee
One of the themes of this year's FARE/ UEFA week of action is the participation of women and girls in the football. The referee for the exhibition match was Rhona Daly, who holds a FIFA referee's badge.

Clubs join pilot scheme
Within the League of Ireland, Drogheda United FC, Bohemian FC, St Patrick's Athletic FC, Galway United FC, Limerick 37, Cork City FC, Bray Wanderers AFC, Dundalk FC, Cobh Ramblers FC, Longford Town FC and University College Dublin FC have all signed up to a pilot scheme, whereby each club is encouraged to actively engage with ethnic minority communities to promote participation and encourage integration, work with community organisations such as the Sport Against Racism Ireland (SARI) body and promote the anti-racism message.