IT WAS supposed to be a day about kicking racism out of football in Hampshire. But just hours after community leaders launched a major new initiative to promote ethnic diversity in the sport, the Daily Echo discovered a team in a five-a-side league bearing the name of the far right BNP.
Now a row has erupted over why the men were ever able to compete in the league under the controversial party name.
The team has been playing in the Vida League in Southampton since the end of August - even wearing specially made strips sporting a BNP logo.
BNP United have also featured on the Vida website league tables alongside up to 220 other league teams who play at the newly-formed Vida Centre in Millbrook Point Road.
One player in the Vida league, who did not wish to be named, said: "At best, the name of the team is a sick joke and their inclusion in a local five-a-side league is misguided.
"At worst, it would appear that grassroots football in the Southampton area is happy to condone 'racist' political parties publicising their beliefs in a sporting environment."
This week, following an inquiry from the Daily Echo, the organisers of the league told BNP United they must immediately change their name and their kit - or face expulsion from the league.
Captain Steve King, from Regents Park, admitted he and some other members of the team belonged to the BNP.
He said: "We are not racist, we are just concerned about immigration to this country.
"We come down just to play football and have a laugh. We do not want to cause any trouble and we haven't had any.
"The BNP has got a bad name for itself but it is not a racist organisation.
"We have been totally friendly in these games and there has been no animosity with other players. We have been wearing the shirts all season and we have now been told not to wear them and that we have to change our name. They cost us £100 so we are a bit annoyed as the organisers knew what we were all along. But if we have to change our name, we have to change our name. We don't want to cause any trouble."
Mr King said he would willingly have players from different ethnic communities in his team.
"I have got a lot of friends that are black and I would be happy to have black players in our team," he said. "We've played against teams with players from all different backgrounds and there has never been any trouble."
Vida has centres spread around England and Scotland. Southampton site manager Liz Newnham said: "We have asked them to change their name and they have agreed to do it. They have also stopped wearing the shirts.
"There are 220 teams and we have sorted things out as soon as we became aware there could be a problem.
"We have had no trouble from them so far and there has not been any problems.
"We would absolutely not want anyone playing in the league who have racist views. I wouldn't want people like that here and they would not be welcome.
"I first spoke to them about it a month ago and they agreed to change their name. I became aware this week that they hadn't and it will now be sorted. If we thought any sort of racism was part of their beliefs they would be out."
Wessex League anti-racism officer Bob Purkiss said the policies of the BNP were not compatible with calls to promote greater diversity from the football authorities.
He said: "Football is an avenue by which we can bring communities of people together.
"That is clearly incongruous with people who purport to represent organisations that
perpetuate avenues of division.
"The message that the BNP puts out is one of exclusivity, not inclusivity. I understand there are people with different views, but it depends how they are displayed."
Southampton City Council social inclusion development officer Don John said: "We would want the organisers to ensure there is nothing going on that would cause offence and I'm glad they have taken the steps that they feel are appropriate."
The Hampshire FA said it had no record of a team which was officially named BNP United, even though it was the name given in the league tables on Vida's website last week.
A statement from the Hampshire FA read: "Following information received from the Daily Echo, Hampshire FA investigated the teams affiliated to the association by Vida.
"Vida have fully co-operated with the Hampshire FA since their opening and have regularly supplied team details.
"On the most current list of teams received from the small-sided football provider there are no team names that represent any political party or any names that the association finds offensive. Hampshire FA are currently waiting for the next update from Vida that is due by the end of the month. If the association finds any of the details supplied by the company conflict with any of Hampshire FA's policies the matter will be suitably addressed."
The team formally known as BNP United is still looking for its first win after eight games of the season.
RED CARD FOR RACISM: See today's Spotlight feature under the 'More News' section.
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