The Alliance Party of Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland's cross-community party
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The Alliance Party of Northern Ireland Northern Ireland's cross-community party |
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| The Alliance Party of Northern Ireland | <alliance@allianceparty.org> |
Long tackles UUP over football attack12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 3rd Oct 2003 ALLIANCE Sports Spokesperson Michael Long has accused former Sports Minister Michael McGimpsey of totally misrepresenting Alliance's position on sectarianism in sport. Responding to a attack on Alliance by the UUP representative today, Councillor Long accused the former minister of being guilty of completely failing to address sectarianism in sport when he had the chance. Cllr Long said: "This attack on Alliance is a desperate attempt by the former sports minister to disguise the fact that during his time in office he failed to introduce one piece of legislation to take on sectarianism in sport. "I have attended hundreds of local and international football games over the years, and if Mr McGimpsey thinks that there is no sectarian chanting, one wonders if he visits the same grounds. "Perhaps he can't remember the Neil Lennon incident, in which the captain of our international team received loyalist death threats. "The majority of local soccer fans are certainly not bigots, but they want rid of the tensions created by the vocal minority. In Scotland, Rangers and Celtic fans now report sectarian behaviour to the clubs, who take action, such as the removal of season tickets. "I have defended the IFA's attempts to stamp out sectarianism, but we all have a part to play in ridding Northern Ireland of bigotry in sport - something Mr McGimpsey singularly failed to do as sports minister. "When I met with the IFA they wanted better legislative back-up to deal with the problems they face, yet the former minister still wasn't able to introduce the Football Offences Act in Northern Ireland. "His feeble attempts to turn soccer into even more of a political football than he already has is pathetic, and his criticism of Alliance for asking Rangers and Celtic for their advice is laughable in light of his own inaction." McGimpsey statement: http://www.uup.org/current/displayfullpress.asp?pressid=1145nds
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Related News Stories:Fri 10th Oct 2008: Long shock and disgust at racist motive for attack. Thu 9th Oct 2008: Long condemns East Belfast attack. Fri 22nd Aug 2008: Long hails sensible debate on Northern Ireland football anthem. Fri 25th Apr 2008: McCarthy launches stinging attack on UUP over stadium plans. Mon 10th Mar 2008: Long condemns those involved in Orangfield High School arson attack. Mon 17th Dec 2007: Long condemns paramilitary attack in Braniel . Wed 12th Dec 2007: Long launches stinging attack on Paisley for his despicable comments on Victims' post. Mon 11th Jun 2007: Long says that UUP inconsistency means segregation for all of us. Tue 13th Feb 2007: McCarthy launches scathing attack on UUP for hypocrisy on free personal care. Sun 11th Feb 2007: Trouble illustrates urgency of Football Offences Act - Long. Thu 25th Jan 2007: Long blasts perpetrators of racist attack in East Belfast. Mon 4th Dec 2006: Riots reminder of inaction on football violence - Long. Sat 12th Aug 2006: Arson attack "the unacceptable side of East Belfast": Long. Tue 8th Aug 2006: Long slams last night's attack on a man in East Belfast. Tue 13th Jun 2006: Long shocked by racist attack on visiting team. Thu 27th Apr 2006: Long challenges Rooker: "Make Football Offences Act part of 'Shared. Consultation of Football Offences Act must proceed without delay - Long. Sun 9th Apr 2006: Staff "demoralised" by school attack - Long. Thu 23rd Feb 2006: Long shocked by apparent racial attack. Tue 24th Jan 2006: No excuse for those behind East Belfast arson attack - Long. Thu 19th Jan 2006: Long condemns Grove St attack. Tue 17th Jan 2006: Suspended sentences for hooligans reflect need for Football Offences Act - Long. Mon 12th Dec 2005: Long calls for Football Offences Act extension. Wed 2nd Nov 2005: Football Offences Act must be brought to NI - Long. Fri 26th Aug 2005: Summer football case clear: Long. Wed 20th Jul 2005: Long condemns attack near Belvoir bonfire. Long blasts McGimpsey comments on Football Offences Act. Thu 14th Jul 2005: Long condemns Cluan Place attack. Fri 15th Apr 2005: "'Decent people vote UUP' campaign deeply offensive": Long. Tue 7th Dec 2004: Long slams "UUP swing to extremism" in East Belfast. Mon 18th Oct 2004: Sectarian attack at skating rink 'disgraceful': Long. Thu 27th May 2004: Latest bomb attack was reckless: Long. Thu 5th Feb 2004: 'Armed robbery kicked local football in the teeth': Long. Fri 1st Nov 2002: Published and promoted by The Alliance Party of Northern Ireland, 88 University Street, Belfast, BT7 1HE. The views expressed are those of the party, not of the service provider. |
