The FAI has announced that it is to plough €60,000 into helping football clubs from around the country to encourage migrants to play soccer.
The commitment came as the FAI stepped up its efforts to draw minorities into football by linking up with the anti-racism in sport organisation 'Show Racism the Red Card' in order to host a press briefing which targeted representatives of Ireland's minority media.
Noel Mooney, the FAI's Eircom League National Club promotion officer said, “We are delighted with this partnership between the FAI, Eircom League of Ireland and Show Racism the Red Card. We are now investing €60,000 with the support of the Department of Justice’s National Action Plan Against Racism to assist clubs to reach out to Ireland's ethnic communities.”
Show Racism the Red Card co-ordinator Garrett Mullan said Eircom League teams, such as St Patrick’s Athletic were represented at the meeting by spokesman Declan White. He said: “We have already delivered a campaign distributing 30,000 posters with 10 clubs.”
A number of the teams, such as Bohemians (pictured), have been photographed holding the posters as part of the anti-racism drive.
Mullen continued, “Our next step is to deliver 40,000 more and to visit the schools from September onwards with the message of Show Racism the Red Card.”
