Release Date: 17/03/2009

THE Irish FA is launching a “Love Football Hate Bigotry” campaign around the upcoming World Cup Qualifiers against Poland and Slovenia in Belfast.

The campaign is supported by the European Union, the Northern Ireland Community Relations Council, Border Action, the Amalgamation of Official Northern Ireland Supporters’ Clubs, Irish League Clubs and Belfast City Council.

The “Love Football Hate Bigotry” campaign will include:

• A “Love Football Hate Bigotry” billboard, bus shelter, banner and phone kiosk poster campaign around Windsor Park.
• A Football For All Respect Festival at Seaview, home of Crusaders FC, on the day of the Poland game (Saturday 28 March, 11.30am-3pm) which will include free coaching, face painting, music for all and a fans friendly between the Poland and Northern Ireland supporters.
• Re-launch of the Irish FA’s anti-sectarian Football For All Project at the Odyssey cinema on Wednesday 1 April showcasing the world premiere of the new film “Green and White Army – the Fans story”, chronicling the work of Northern Ireland football fans who have worked behind the scenes eradicating sectarianism from Northern Ireland games.
• The pilot of a Football Ambassadors Project in partnership with Glentoran and the PSNI. This project involves Glentoran Youth players and PSNI Cadets embarking on three weeks of training during March, delivered by Concept 11, covering anti-sectarian workshops and workshops on citizenship, sportsmanship and being a positive role model. This pilot project will be evaluated and rolled out throughout the Irish League.

Irish FA Head of Community Relations, Michael Boyd, said: “The promotion of positive Community Relations makes good business sense for football. Our Love Football Hate Bigotry campaign sends out a very simple but powerful message. If you love football you should hate bigotry, as bigotry and sectarianism can destroy football. With the support of the EU the Irish Football Association is embarking on a journey to make the Irish FA brand as inclusive as possible.

"This will involve meaningful partnership work between the Irish FA, clubs and fans. It will involve developing a shared vision for football, identifying and removing any remaining barriers to inclusion. Ultimately it will involve removing the fear of change and will support local football to become more confident, vibrant, inclusive and dynamic."

« Go Back