Video footage and photographs have emerged in recent weeks showing demonstrators at anti-immigrant rallies wearing club tops.
Billy Singh from Show Racism the Red Card (Image: DAILY RECORD)
A fresh wave of racism in football is being driven by the asylum hotel protests, anti-racism campaigners have warned.
Video footage and photographs have emerged in recent weeks showing demonstrators at anti-immigrant rallies wearing club tops. Now campaigners at Show Racism the Red Card have warned that these protests are fuelling racism in Scottish football.
A weekend of action will take place at all 42 SPFL fixtures next weekend, with players flashing red cards before kick-off to show their opposition to racism in the sport.
In an exclusive interview with the Daily Record, the group’s campaign manager Billy Singh said: “I am aware that individuals connected to football clubs have been present at recent demonstrations outside the asylum hotels across Scotland. I urge those involved to reflect not only on their actions but also on the real harm caused to people seeking safety and dignity in our country.”
Billy Singh(Image: DAILY RECORD)
Players’ union PFA Scotland is backing the weekend of action which its chair Michael Devlin says has come at a “very apt” time. The former Aberdeen, Hibs and Scotland defender added: “We believe there is a place in football for everyone.
“That is the nature of the beauty of the game – there are people of different races, ethnicities and backgrounds that come together to play the game that we love. By voicing your disdain and rejection of asylum seekers and immigrants coming to the UK and Scotland, you are effectively rejecting your own players.”
In July, we revealed how race-related hate crime is on the rise in Scotland. There were 3838 recorded hate crimes where race was a factor in 2022, rising to 3937 in 2023 and 4953 last year. A further 738 were reported to police in just the first two months of this year.
The weekend of action is being organised by Show Racism the Red Card from Friday and will feature players from all 42 SPFL clubs and clubs from the Scottish Women’s Premier League. Programmes and club websites will carry anti-racism messages with players and match officials displaying anti-racism red cards before the start of every game.
Anti-migrant protesters demonstrate outside the Cladhan Hotel in Falkirk(Image: Getty Images)
The initiative comes after recent hostile protests outside hotels housing asylum seekers including ones in Falkirk, Perth and Westhill in Aberdeenshire.
Billy said: “Many of those targeted have fled war, persecution or violence. They deserve compassion and respect, not hostility. Every team has players from around the world, representing a range of cultures, faiths and backgrounds.
“I ask those taking part in demonstrations – would you stand outside one of your own player’s houses and tell them to go home? Would you accuse them of being sexual predators?”
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Billy is calling on fans across Scotland to unite against all forms of racism this month. He added: “I can count on one hand the times I have been racially abused but a few weeks ago on Saturday in Argyle Street in Glasgow I was called a P**i b*****d. I know people get that on a daily basis if you are a taxi driver or work in a restaurant.”
Show Racism the Red Card has set up a programme called Challenging Harmful Narratives which they plan to roll out to councils, schools and sports bodies to target misinformation peddled by hotel protesters.
Billy said: “We are asking fans to reject racist language and behaviour and be active anti-racists. That means speaking out when something is wrong, supporting those targeted by abuse, and showing that the true spirit of football is inclusive.”
Billy has met organisations working to support asylum seekers living in hotels targeted by demonstrators. He added: “There’s ways to have a moan about your standard of living but it is not shouting at a hotel at people of colour.”