Anti-racism week of action kicks off anniversary season

Twenty- five years after the first black player made his debut for England and ten years after anti-racism campaigning began in British football, the football family will come together for the largest series of anti-racist activities ever this autumn.

The national anti-racism week of action, organised by campaigners Kick It Out, will take place between October 16th and 28th, involving every professional club in the country, professional footballers in all divisions, fans groups and ethnic minority community groups.

The week of action – which will aim to celebrate the contribution made to football by black, Asian and other ethnic minorities whilst continuing the call for equality in the game – comes in time to celebrate a string of significant anniversaries including:

• The twenty- fifth anniversary of Viv Anderson’s England debut against Czechoslovakia at Wembley in 1978, where he became the first black player to represent his country,

• The same year also saw the debuts of the pioneering triumvirate of Brendon Batson, Cyril Regis and Laurie Cunningham at West Bromwich Albion, who became affectionately known as the ‘Three Degrees’,

• Michael Chopra’s Premiership debut for Newcastle United this weekend, becoming the first home-grown Asian to play in the Premier League.

Piara Powar, Director of Kick It Out, today looked forward to October,

“This years week of action will see the biggest series of activities ever staged to celebrate diversity in the game and continue the fight for equality.

“The achievements of Viv Anderson, the ‘Three Degrees’ and now Michael Chopra are evidence of the contribution that pioneering individuals from ethnic minorities have made to the game, often against the odds.

“Alongside these accomplishments sit the continuing need to challenge overt racism and to ensure equal representation is achieved in every aspect of the game.”

For further information please contact Leon Mann on 020 7684 4884