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26 October 2010

The Irish Football Association has been praised by First Minister Peter Robinson and Duncan Morrow, the Chief Executive of the Community Relations Council for supporting the UNITE AGAINST HATE Campaign.

Representatives of the Ulster Council of the GAA, Irish Football Association and Belfast Giants were presented with Unite trophies in recognition of their ongoing support for the campaign.UNITE AGAINST HATE is a multi-agency campaign initiated by the Office of the First and Deputy First Minister, Equality Commission, Community Relations Council, Northern Ireland Office Community Safety Unit and Police Service of Northern Ireland.

First Minister Peter Robinson and Chief Constable Matt Baggott were among guests at the launch of the latest initiative from the UNITE AGAINST HATE campaign at Stormont on Friday 15^th October. Justice Minister David Ford and Junior Minister Gerry Kelly also joined representatives from gaelic games, football and ice hockey at the event to promote the efforts to eradicate sectarianism, racism and other forms of intolerance from the terraces. Dr Duncan Morrow, of the Community Relations Council, also spoke at the launch, which was compered by comic and Unite against Hate ambassador Tim McGarry.

First Minister Peter Robinson said, “The IFA, Football Fans and the local Irish League Clubs deserve praise for showing clear leadership in sending out the message hate crime is unacceptable and should not be tolerated”.

Duncan Morrow, Chief Executive of the Community Relations Council added, “The IFA’s Football For All campaign, which we have supported from the start, has been a spectacular success in working in partnership with Fans in challenging the issue of sectarianism in football here in Northern Ireland and this is clearly seen in the transformation of the atmosphere at international football games. Sport in recent years has made great efforts to distance itself from the prejudices and violence of our traditional divisions and offers real opportunities to bring people together”.