RED CARD FOR RACISM

FOOTBALL, regardless of race, colour, creed, gender and religion, is a wonderful tool that brings everyone together.

Those words were said with feeling this week by former Celtic and Chelsea player Paul Elliott at the launch of the new Send Racism Off campaign at St Mary's.

Now an ambassador for the national Kick It Out campaign, Mr Elliott had first-hand experience as a player of racism on the terraces, particularly during the 1980s.

"There were some very, very difficult times. I think the problem was that we didn't have a level of universal support," he said.

"The clubs found it difficult to deal with and I represented the extreme minority at the time and it was hard.

"It wasn't problematic at player level, but you had the types on the terraces with the monkey chanting, the booing - the types that would throw the bananas.

"That was very hard to deal with because there wasn't universal support within the game. It's ignorance and unawareness of how people feel when you talk about someone's colour and personalise that."

Helped by the national Kick It Out campaign, attitudes have improved considerably in the past 20 years.

"I think, in general terms, things have unquestionably got better," said Mr Elliott.

"We have legislation in place. We have 92 football clubs that have signed up to the Kick It Out charter, but at the end of the day racism is ongoing and we still see isolated incidents.

"The good thing is that supporters now will take the responsibility. They are not frightened to say this is unacceptable. They will get stewards if there is a problem and there is no fear in doing so. That is what education does.

"There is a general awareness and players all over the country are taking responsibility."

Send Racism Off seeks to help those in grassroots football recognise and respond to issues of racism.

It is a joint initiative which includes Saints, Southampton City Council, the Hampshire FA and the police.

Among those at the St Mary's launch were Saints chairman Rupert Lowe, Saints legend Francis Benali, Chief Constable Paul Kernaghan, Southampton City Council leader Adrian Vinson, Hampshire FA chairman John Ward and Wessex League chairman Alf Peckham.

More than 10,000 booklets will now be sent to clubs in the Tyro League and the Southampton Sunday League along with members of the Southampton Referees' Association.

Mr Elliott praised the ongoing Racism Aint Saintly campaign and stressed it was vital that Saints had taken on their role as a focal point in the community to drive the campaign.

"Football clubs are an integral part of the community and Southampton have immersed themselves in the community," he said.

"We have listened to Rupert Lowe and when you have people at the top supporting and endorsing what you are doing that gives confidence to the whole infrastructure and everyone can work collectively to deal with the situation.

"We must transmit that energy and willingness from the top to those different levels because they are the next generation. That's where the clubs and the community have a role to play.

"You have only to look at Southampton's under-11 team. They have lads from different nationalities and different backgrounds. That is multicultural and multiracial Britain right now. Ultimately as Mr Lowe says when the club is looking at players they are looking at them as footballers. They are not looking at their colour.

"The work in the community for me is second-to-none and I'm delighted to be at Southampton to see what they are doing and long may they continue."

The current awareness drive focuses on grassroots football. It is an area that Mr Elliott is particularly keen to see targeted.

"If you look at the amateur and county level, there are still problems," he said.

"That's why all the initiatives and good work by clubs like Southampton are important.

"There is still work to be done. Recently there was a report that has highlighted some issues that need to be dealt with and I will be working with the FA, Football League, Football Foundation and Sport England and we will work together."

About a quarter of professional footballers now are black, but there is still work to be done in improving the numbers from the Asian communities.

"Most things are cyclical," added Mr Elliott. "I think 14 or 15 years ago there were not so many black players and now you have 25 per cent.

"You have to look at the next generation now of players. You have Michael Chopra and one or two from the Asian community. It is just evolving and taking its own time to get there."

Mr Kernaghan predicted the backing of Saints would be crucial to get the message across to the younger generations that racism will not be tolerated.

He said: "It's great to have the launch at the football club. No matter what I or others say, young people in particular do idolise footballers."

Leader of Southampton City Council, Cllr Vinson added: "We are delighted to back this scheme. Southampton is a multicultural city and that is something we are proud of. It adds to the vibrancy of the city.

"I believe the message is getting across. From time to time there are difficulties and problems and it is very important to get across the message that racism is unacceptable."

Officials in grassroots football are urging more people from ethnic communities to become involved at all levels of the game.

Not only do they want to see more players, but they are also determined that the numbers of administrators and referees are reflective of the multiculturalism of Southampton.

At present, all but one per cent of Hampshire FA Council officials are white. Chairman John Ward admits that is something which must change.

He said: "This is not just about players. We need administrative people, coaches and referees. The communities can play a big part.

"We must be inclusive and give people the opportunity and chance so that they find football a welcoming and comfortable environment to work in.

"It is good to see Saints involved in this as well because they send out such a strong message to grassroots football."

Alf Peckham, chairman of the Wessex League, added: "We won't change overnight, but we would love to see more involvement from ethnic communities. It may surprise people but committee work is often more interesting than they think."

Mr Ward and Mr Peckham stressed that incidents of racism would be taken very seriously.

"We are currently investigating some cases and we will deal with it very seriously," said Mr Peckham.

"We deal with issues of racism very severely and a player that is found guilty of racial abuse gets double the punishment. Obviously you don't want to get to that stage and it is all about education," said Mr Ward

In partnership with Southampton City Council, Hampshire FA have recently set up the Late Night five-a-side league at St Mary's Leisure Centre on Mondays from 9.30pm.

The aim is to promote the inclusion of all ethnic communities in football.

At present there are no match officials or administrators from ethnic backgrounds, but the intention is to gradually hand over ownership of the league to the players.