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Promoting citizenship through football
10/12/2008
Football can help bring people together - if we don't allow the mindless minority to drive us apart, Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said today.
Mr MacAskill was speaking ahead of the first meeting of 'Promoting Citizenship through Football - A Government and Football Partnership', a group established by the Scottish Government and Scottish FA in October.
Mr MacAskill and Sports Minister Stewart Maxwell attended today's meeting which was chaired by Scottish FA Chief Executive Gordon Smith.
Mr MacAskill said:
"Football has a unique appeal to people from all over the world - and Scotland is particularly passionate about the game. Our national side brings us all together, at the ground or around the TV set, cheering on our heroes. And our club sides are often rallying points for their local communities.
"Our national sport can give rise to a range of emotions - the disappointment that comes with defeat can be as deep as the joy that goes with success. But disappointment should never be translated into ill-feeling and violence on the streets following a game. Losing a game can never be an excuse for losing the heid.
"As a nation we are fitba' crazy - but that doesn't mean we have to be fitba' mad. I don't want to see the proud names of our football clubs dragged down by the minority who use football as a cover for unacceptable behaviour. I want our clubs to be defined by the majority, and the ambassadors who do much good work in their communities.
"Decent football fans are decent citizens. Football clubs can lead by example and often do. That good work doesn't often hit the front or back pages - but it goes on. Work that challenges attitudes and promotes positive lifestyles, promoting respect and relegating intolerance. Work that this new group can help develop and strengthen.
"By getting out the strong message that football is an inclusive sport we can help make our national sport a source of real national pride."
Scottish FA Chief Executive Gordon Smith said:
"I am absolutely delighted that the Scottish Government and all our other partners have come together to explore the role of football in society and the way in which it can influence people's behaviour. I firmly believe that the power of football as a force for change is something that we must continue to harness across Scotland.
"Football is an incredible sport. While it creates rivalries, it also binds us together. Understanding the way in which we can use our national game to inspire our young people to become better citizens is something that we simply must achieve.
"We should not just be looking to develop better Scottish players, we must also all work together to develop better people."
The Promoting Citizenship through Football - A Government and Football Partnership will be an expansion of the Sectarianism in Football group and will continue to be chaired by Gordon Smith, Chief Executive of the SFA. The SPL, SFL, ACPOS, sportscotland and Scottish Government will also have representatives on the group. It aims to promote positive citizenship by tackling issues such as:
- alcohol and drugs misuse
- anti-social behaviour
- violence
- domestic abuse
- continuing work on sectarianism and other bigoted behaviour
A Scottish Government official has been seconded to the SFA to act as a single contact point for the new group.
The Scottish Government is committed to supporting Scottish football to promote equalities and tackle social problems. In addition to the £2.5 million already committed through the Cashback scheme in the current financial round, up to March 2011, we have also committed £600,000 over the same period to tackle sectarianism and racism. In the current financial year we are also providing £70,000 to promote healthy living.
In future, instead of applying to different parts of Government, football clubs can now approach the group with ideas for initiatives. The group will then allocate funding providing a more coherent and joined up approach.