Alliance backs Rangers' bid to kick sectarianism out of football

12.48.51pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 4th Aug 2006

Alliance Castlereagh Councillor, Michael Long

Alliance Sport Spokesperson, Cllr Michael Long, has backed a move by Rangers football club to banish sectarian chanting from the terraces. Rangers football club have announced that they will use traditional songs in a bid to stop sectarian chanting. Following a similar initiative launched by Linfield this week, Cllr Long has renewed his calls for the introduction of legislation to make the singing of sectarian songs a criminal offence.

Cllr. Michael Long: "I welcome Rangers' initiative to kick sectarian songs off their terraces and I am glad Linfield launched a similar campaign this week also.

"Whilst it is encouraging that clubs are making efforts to stop sectarian chants, I would call on government to introduce the Football Offences Act in Northern Ireland to eradicate all forms of racist and sectarian intimidation at football grounds."

Michael Long concluded: "Alliance has been calling for this measure for several years, as we feel that clubs and the IFA deserve legislative support in their efforts to eradicate sectarianism in local football."

ENDS