Football For All Campaign
The Irish FA commissioned independent research to determine the effectiveness of the Football For All campaign.
Democratic Dialogue undertook this research and made some useful recommendations for the future of the campaign as well as highlighting the success the Community Relations department has experienced working in partnership with the Northern Ireland Supporters Amalgamation over the past few years to improve the atmosphere experienced at International matches. From this, Democratic Dialogue recommended this work be enhanced by cascading its effects down through the Irish League by employing a new community relations officer to work in partnership with Irish League Supporters and Irish Premier League Clubs.
Full details of Democratic Dialogue’s Research can be found at:
DEMOCRATIC DIALOGUE'S FOOTBALL FOR ALL BASELINE STUDY
Funding for the new post was secured late December 2005 and the department set about a recruitment drive. The IFA Community Relations department also launched UEFA’s Ten Point Plan to tackle Sectarianism & Racism within the sport and promoting this as an example of good practice to all Irish League & other affiliated clubs.
Partners involved with this launch include:
www.kickitout.org/
www.sari.ie (Sport Against Racism Ireland)
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ARTICLE 55
In the meantime, FIFA amended Article 55 of their Disciplinary Code (Non-discrimination) making it punishable for clubs and affiliations through hefty sanctions to be in direct violation of the article. The impact of this article made it more of a necessity to promote the implementation of the Ten Point Plan to all clubs affiliated to the Irish FA. To this end, the Community Relations Department is focusing its efforts towards supporting all Carnegie Premier league Clubs adopt the 10 Point Plan.
The main thrust of the article stipulates that any discriminatory/contemptuous behaviour can incur a match suspension of 5 matches at any level of football, as well as a stadium ban (minimum 2 years) and a minimum fine of approx £8,500. If an official commits such an offence, the fine is increased to approx £12,800.
In addition to this, any club or association will be fined approx £12,800 if any of its supporters display discriminatory banners or behave in a discriminatory/contemptuous manner during a match. If the offending spectator cannot be identified as belonging to one club or another, the host club will be sanctioned accordingly.
If any player, official or spectator behaving in a discriminatory/contemptuous manner can be attributed to a certain team, three points will be deducted for the 1st offence, 6 points for 2nd offence and further offences will result in relegation. Where matches are played without points being awarded, the team in question will be disqualified.
More information on Article 55 can be found on FIFA’s website,
The Community Relations department is keen to ensure that all Carnegie Premier League clubs and Supporters are made duly aware of the implications of the above article. We aim to assist all these clubs and supporters address the main issues arising from Article 55 by providing support and guidance throughout the adoption and implementation of UEFA’s Ten Point Plan. To this end, ongoing meetings are being arranged with all clubs and the Irish League Forum Supporters Group and work is progressing well.
