RACISM IN FOOTBALL (NO. 2)

Early day motion 177, tabled 24 November 2004 by Lord Foster of Bath (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 70 members.

That this House deplores the racial abuse of England players in the recent friendly played against Spain at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid; praises the conduct of the England team, in particular Ashley Cole, Rio Ferdinand, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Jermaine Jenas and Jemaine Defoe for responding in such a dignified manner in spite of unspeakable provocation; welcomes the decision of the Minister for Sport and Tourism to write to the Spanish Government expressing the nation's outrage at this incident; calls upon football governing bodies UEFA and FIFA to ensure that countries face severe sanctions when racial or religious abuse at international matches is not stamped out by the national governing bodies; agreed that racism has no place in football whatsoever and reaffirms its support for the Let's Kick Racism out of Football initiative; applauds community outreach schemes run by many British clubs which use football to help unite communities; urges the FA, the Premier League, the Professional Footballers' Association and the Football Foundation to renew efforts to promote ethnic minority involvement in football club training and management structures.

Signatures by party: Labour 37, Liberal Democrat 22, Labour/Co-operative 4, Conservative 3, DUP 2, Plaid Cymru 1, UUP 1.