High Lane Football Club is not only about football we support the ‘Let’s Kick Racism Out of Football’ campaign.
‘Kick It Out’ is football’s anti-racism campaign. The ‘Let’s Kick Racism Out of Football’ campaign was started by the Commission for Racial Equality and the Professional Footballers’ Association in 1993. It is supported by all the game’s governing bodies, supporters’ organisations and local authorities, and works to challenge racism at all levels of the game.
It’s not just the pro game that suffers from racism. Unfortunately, racial harassment rears its ugly head in amateur games too, on local parks and in school fixtures week after week, often unseen by the rest of the world.
- The secretary of an amateur league in Yorkshire told a survey that, although racism was unacceptable, really it was just “part of the game”. But why should broken jaws, black eyes and bruised backs and arms be seen as part of the game. Physical attacks like these are only the worst examples.
- Bari FC, an Asian side in East London, was attacked and racially abused by opponents in November 1998. One of its players was left unconscious after being beaten with a corner flag, kicked and stamped on. “The team is unlikely to play in this type of league again and will probably disband,” said their vice-captain.
- One of the few ethnic minority referees, says he gave up playing football because of the racism. “Some referees see it as just another form of abuse and as part of the game,” he says. “It is actually against the law.”
- Shobnall Rangers, an Under 14s team from Burton-on-Trent, received racist abuse from opponents during a game. “The most alarming thing was that it came from kids 14 years of age,” said their manager.
- Cheetham Hill Primary School team from Manchester, was subjected to racist abuse, according to parents, pupils and teachers. “This school team has to overcome all sorts of racial hurdles,” said their sports teacher.
- Roundhay High School Under 16s team from Leeds was attacked by 20 youths hurling racist abuse, rocks and bricks during a cup semi-final game. The match was abandoned and windows in the team’s mini-bus were broken.
If you receive racist abuse, or see or hear someone making racist comments or gestures, you should report it to a steward or the police, to a teacher or coach, to the club if you are a fan, or to the local authority if it occurs on your local council pitch.
Racist abuse at football matches is against the law, so the police and stewards should take action. Referees should act if the abuse comes from players, and your league or county FA should look into the matter. Make note of the incident and let ‘Kick It Out’ know what’s happened too. The ‘Kick It Out’ hotline number is 0800 169 9414.
High Lane F.C. 