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CEO Stafford Reynolds summed up the event nicely in his concluding statement ‘We all share the planet, we should share football’.

Northern Ireland international football team manager, Lawrie Sanchez, also gave his full backing to the implementation of the Ten Point Plan, “This Ten Point Plan represents an opportunity for the IFA to work in partnership with Carnegie League Clubs and Supporters to create a more inclusive, vibrant and dynamic culture throughout local football. Each point of action in the plan is vital to the future of Northern Ireland football and I am confident the football family in Northern Ireland will come together to tackle the issues of racism and sectarianism. The future of the beautiful game that we all care so passionately about depends upon it”, stated Lawrie Sanchez.

There were many influential faces from the world of football involved with the launch this morning.  Guest speakers included Ken McCue (Sport Against Racism Ireland), Brian Kerr (former ROI manager), Leon Mann (‘kickitout’), David White (Concept 11), and Glentoran CEO Stafford Reynolds.  Matthew Brown, a 14 year old Glentoran fan was the mystery speaker at the event and he described how and why he decided to set up his own website (www.glentoran4ever.tk) two years ago to tackle racism within football.

Concept 11’s David White states, ‘The introduction of the plan is a milestone for League football within the Carnegie League and Northern Ireland football.  It is a mixture of ideas, effort and endeavour.  If we implement this 10-point plan from grassroots level, a new generation of coaches, players, referees, managers etc will grow up with it.’

Leon Mann works with the FAs in England to challenge racism at all levels of the game, from County FAs at a grassroots level to all 92 professional clubs from a Sunday League to the Champions League.  ‘UEFA’s 10-point plan is about overcoming the exclusion of ethnic minorities.  Despite great numbers of black players within football, there is still a lot of racist chants at games and graffiti around football grounds.  Support, in the form of plans and initiatives like this one today, allows them to take a stance, feel greater inclusion and gives all a greater understanding of racism.  The current situation in England, far from being perfect, is that the plan has contributed to the incidents of racism being significantly being reduced’ added Leon.

The launch was set up to highlight to all clubs and players within the Carnegie League that racism will not be tolerated and how best to implement the 10-point plan.

Brain Kerr highlighted that everyone has a responsibility to see that the points are taken on board to clubs, players, managers, staff and supporters. ‘We all have a responsibility and commitment within sport to see racism driven out so we can improve the game, and multi-cultural attitudes can only have a positive effect.  It’s important though, that we don’t wait for it to happen, but that we go out and make it happen!’

THE TEN-POINT PLAN IN FULL:

1.Issue a statement saying the club will not tolerate racism or sectarianism, spelling out the action it will take against those engaged in racist or sectarian chanting. The statement should be printed in all match programmes and displayed permanently and prominently around the ground.

2.Make public address announcements condemning racist and sectarian chanting at matches.

3.Make it a condition for season-ticket holders that they do not take part in racist or sectarian abuse.

4.Take action to prevent the sale of racist and sectarian literature inside and around the ground.

5.Take disciplinary action against players who engage in racial or sectarian abuse.

6.Contact other clubs to make sure they understand the club’s policy on racism and sectarianism.

7.Encourage a common strategy between stewards and police for dealing with racist and sectarian abuse.

8.Remove all racist and sectarian graffiti from the ground as a matter of urgency.

9.Adopt an equal opportunities' policy in relation to employment and service provision.

10.  Work with all other groups and agencies, such as the players union, supporters, schools, voluntary organisations, youth clubs, sponsors, local authorities, local businesses and police, to develop pro-active programmes and make progress to raise awareness of campaigning to eliminate racial or sectarian abuse and discrimination.