Race for Football, Sport & Society

 
This week the Race for Football National Roadshow came to Birmingham and was hosted by Phoenix United at St Andrews Birmingham City.

For many years Football has been as way off life and is shrouded in history, all over the UK and indeed in local communities.

Since the inception of the Premier League with the mass sponsored investment Football has become a Multi Million pound empire in this country.

However, on the other side, it has also become an apparent breeding ground for racism.

There have been many high profile incidences of racial discrimination in football over the past year and this has highlighted the need for commitment and proper regulation not only by Clubs, The Premier League, The FA but also Government.

It begs the question is Football above the law of the land? It is not, racism is a ‘hate crime’ and it should be dealt with accordingly. There is a clear dividing line between Football disciplinary matters and breaking the law, it’s that simple.

Racism is not just an issue for Football, but society as a whole, however, the continual dismissing of incidences of Race Discrimination with explanations such a mere banter only fuels the fact that people believe they can get away with this type of bigoted behaviour.

One must recall that Football is responsible for developing Role Models in society and these can either be negative or positive.

The recent Notts County incident which has been publicised nationally, clearly demonstrates the disrespect that especially Young Black Footballers face, yet alone their older counterparts.

There are various initiatives developing awareness, about racism in Football but there are no campaigns with real teeth to develop and enforce regulations that will stomp it out as yet.

Although there are now developing punishments to tackle racism; the on and off the field incidences need stern action as this does impact upon society as a whole.

Footballers are employees and should they commit acts of discrimination or indeed the any Football Staff; then just like many working for Companies they should be sacked and their professional registrations be suspended or even permanently revoked.

Clubs to face several games behind closed doors and or points deductions.

One must also appreciate the impact upon local communities of this type of behaviour, as many football grounds do have a high level of BME residents living locally.

The situation is simple we need to campaign to stop the window dressing and develop clear, enforceable codes of conduct.

It also needs to be clearly defined what issues are for Football to deal with and what issues are to be dealt with by the law of the land.

It is alarming that after the tiresome work in developing skills, human beings are being ridiculed on a Football pitch for the colour of their skin.

It’s clearly time for change and we must unite and work together to achieve this.

Write to your MP, The Minister of Sport or even The Prime Minister and demand action to deal with this alarming issue.

We are all equal, its time to embrace our diversity and not ridicule it.

A home to anyone is their castle. For some time now we have had a developing Housing Crisis in Birmingham, which is now being compounded by the Bedroom Tax levied on the people in social housing for under occupation.

A home is shrouded with history of family life and indeed when some children leave the home obviously rooms are left unoccupied. It is the case even in my family.

A home provides stability, a sense of belonging and pride. It is your own space or territory where you are the ruler. However, this repulsive bedroom tax has been thrusted upon people and they are expected to be treated like cattle and just move about as they are unable to afford the surcharge.

This was highlighted in the unfortunate and tearful case of Stephanie Bottrill in Solihull who just was at her wits end.

We cannot play the blame game and in Birmingham we need to adopt a strategic and pro-active approach in order to deal with our Housing Crisis.

There is in the region of  14000 household’s  affected by this tax requiring one bedroom accommodation, but, Birmingham Housing Department has around 200 properties, especially taking into consideration the mass demolition which has been taking place throughout the City of unsuitable and high maintenance multi storey blocks.

I am alarmed at the fact that despite of we are yet again in May and the Birmingham City Council Leadership has not grasped the opportunity to reinstate the Cabinet post for Housing in order that a more strategic approach be adopted in order to tackle this issue that impacts upon people’s lives.

It is pointless having it split across various Chairs and Areas, as it is an important issue and indeed Sir Albert Bore removed this post from Cabinet last year. I would urge him to reinstate it this City has a crisis and Government needs to be told point blank this cannot work as there is no availability of adequate alternative by a permanent dedicated Member of the Cabinet.

I believe that with the many empty Apartments in the City; the Council could be more proactive in developing solutions in utilising some of these.

The City needs to tackle this crisis urgently and strategically with a Cabinet Member and Sir Albert Bore is urged to take action now in order to avoid any further tragedies.

We must remember that Birmingham is a City of 1.1 million people and increasing we need to deal with this now time to put the needs of the people of this City first.

If anyone is feeling the strain please seek help contact your local : 
CAB  www.citizensadvice.org.uk
Shelter   england.shelter.org.uk
Birmingham Settlement    www.birminghamsettlement.org.uk
The Samaritans   www.birminghamsamaritans.org.uk
Please also remember the doors are open to the Houses of Faith.
You are not alone you can also email me at info@b-e-f.org.uk