World Cup not an excuse for racism, says CRE
2 Jun 06
Support who you like, but beware anti-English racism, Commission warns
The Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) in Scotland has warned that the 2006 World Cup - which starts on 9 June - should not become an excuse for anti-English sentiment.
CRE Scotland said it received an increase in enquiries about anti-English sentiments before, during and after the 2002 World Cup.
Ali Jarvis, CRE Scotland's interim director, said the commission wasn't saying that Scottish people had to support the English team, but that fans needed to guard against sentiments that encouraged or acted as a smokescreen for other prejudices or intolerance.
Racism, she explained, was the stereotyping, harassment or discrimination of any person on the basis of their colour, race, ethnic or national identity.
Ms Jarvis continued: "Using the World Cup as a pretext for hostility against any nation or race, including the English, is racism. [The event] provides an opportunity to bring people of all nations together. Football fans and Scotland's public figures need to ensure it remains a force for integration rather than a cause of division."