Text service to fight racism in football (From This is Hampshire)

Text service to fight racism in football

5:18pm Tuesday 29th July 2008 in

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YOUNG footballers who suffer racial abuse on the pitch could soon be able to report it by text.

The proposed scheme would help those who run the game get a better idea how widespread the problem is among players under 16.

The plan is being investigated by the Hampshire Football Association in conjunction with the group Racism Just Ain't Saintly - a collaboration led by Southampton Football Club with the city council.

Don John, race relations officer at Southampton City Council, said the idea could help build an accurate picture of the extent of racism at junior grass roots level.

He hopes it will make it easier for youngsters to report incidents by avoiding the stigma often attached to "telling tales" on peers as reports can be made anonymously.

He said: "We have around a handful of incidents involving younger players but we think the problem is underreported.

Young people are often put off because they don't want to be seen to be telling tales or grassing up other players."

He added: "We will be aiming it at specifically the Southampton area and encouraging players to use the service to give them confidence that any race-related abuse will be dealt with."

A spokesman for the Hampshire FA said the idea, which was in its early stages, was being considered in a bid to tackle the growing number of race-related incidents.

Last year Hampshire FA dealt with ten racist incidents, two of which involved youths.

The spokesman said: "The number of cases we receive relating to racial abuse is increasing and as part of the four-year county plan we have signalled our commitment to stamping out discriminatory behaviour."

Plans for the text service were welcomed by race relations campaigner Bob Purkiss who said the plan would help build a culture where victims felt confident to report any discriminatory or abusive behaviour.

He said: "Hampshire FA and partners should be congratulated on investigating this idea and I think it should include anyone who witnesses any sort of racial abuse.

Third party reporting is very important and it helps develop a culture where it is clear any sort of abuse will not be tolerated.

"I think it is great that this service could be offered but it is important that people know that something will happen if they do report any incidents, they need to have confidence in it."