Long congratulates IFA on well-deserved good relations award

4.02.00pm GMT Wed 21st Nov 2007

Alliance Sports spokesperson Cllr Michael Long

Alliance Sports Spokesperson Cllr Michael Long has praised the Irish Football Association on winning a MAMA (Metro Éireann Media and Multi-culturalism Award), commending their good community relations work. They gained the accolade at a ceremony on Monday evening at the Radisson Hotel in Dublin.

Castlereagh Councillor Michael Long said: "This award is well deserved and it is a real tribute to the excellent work done by the IFA on ensuring that football can be enjoyed by everyone.

"Alliance has led the campaign to have laws similar to the Football Offences Act which applies in England, introduced here. We want to see all forms for prejudicial chanting and behaviour outlawed. Sports stadia must be shared spaces, and everyone should be able to feel free from the fear of harassment. We strongly support the IFA's Football Without Frontiers initiative and we will continue to keep the pressure on the government regarding the need for football offences laws here.

"I want to reiterate my praise for the good work that Michael Boyd and his colleagues at the IFA are doing on community relations and also want to wish the Northern Ireland team all the best for tonight's vitally-important match against Spain."

ENDS