SHOW RACISM THE RED CARD DAY OF ACTION
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE SCOTTISH FOOTBALL LEAGUE
21ST - 22ND OCTOBER, 2006

Background

It was agreed by the Management Committee of the SFL that its clubs should help reiterate their support of the campaign using one day's fixtures as a vehicle to deliver SRTRC's message. This action will form part of SRTRC's Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) Fortnight of Action, October 17-30th, featuring action in 35 European countries. FARE is the UEFA sponsored European initiative against racism in football. SRTRC in Scotland are a core member of FARE.

In addition to increasing the awareness of SRTRC's work in Scotland, the 'day of action' will also help member clubs underline and draw attention to the work that they are already doing in this area, and any progress that has been made since the SRTRC Fortnight of Action last October.

Action Plan

The main thrust of the message of the day will take place prior to kick off. The players (starting XI) of both teams in each game will gather round the centre circle each holding a large red card in the air, facing outwards towards the crowd. This will be supported by a simultaneous public address announcement condemning racism.

Although the host clubs will have a greater role to play from an operational standpoint, all clubs have a responsibility to play on the day in terms of publicly supporting the campaign to achieve media coverage. A number of other activities, detailed in the schedule below, will be carried out to promote the 'day of action', adding weight to its message.

Schedule of Events

Monday 16th - Tuesday 17th October
All clubs should post website article relating to the coming day's events, the Show Racism the Red Card campaign and any club-specific equality initiatives/progress that has been made since the 2005 SRTRC Weeks of Action.

All home clubs should make necessary arrangements for Show Racism the Red Card copy to be included in match day programme.

SRTRC will have distributed the above items directly to the clubs, along with red cards.

All clubs to ensure football departments, PR staff, and operations/safety personnel are aware of necessary changes to match day routine (see attached).

All home clubs should ensure that red cards are distributed to visiting clubs.

See below for specific pre-match schedule.
Notes for Football Departments and Referees
All football personnel should be aware of the following timing of events immediately prior to kick off. All players should be ready to enter the field slightly earlier that usual.

For matches scheduled to kick off at 3.00pm, the following timing applies:
14:53:00 Players and match officials line up in tunnel with red cards (distributed by home club officials) ready to take the field
14:55:00 Led by match officials the teams enter the field of play
accompanied by mascot(s)
14:56:00 Players (starting XI only) gather round centre circle similar to the
way they would for a minute's silence
Match officials gather at centre spot
14:57:00 Referee blows whistle
PA announcement begins
Match officials and players hold the red cards aloft for the
duration of the PA announcement, facing outwards towards crowd
14:57:30 PA announcement ends
Players break up
Club officials/ball boys enter field to collect red cards
14:59:00 Toss Up
15:00:00 Kick Off

In the unlikely event of any circumstances on the day arising that may disrupt this schedule, the match officials should liaise with the home club's safety officer/operations manager.

Contact Details

Please contact Gerry Britton for any further information regarding the Fortnight of Action events.

Gerry Britton
Show Racism the Red Card
07714454758
0141 332 8566
gerry@theredcardscotland.org