Schoolchildren learn to 'show racism the red card'

Nov 4 2010 by Sara Nichol, The Journal

YOUNGSTERS teamed up with Newcastle United starts past and present in a bid to give racism its marching orders.

Schoolchildren from schools across the North East met their football heroes yesterday at a special series of workshops held at St James’s Park.

United players Mike Williamson and Cheick Tiote joined former stars John Anderson and Olivier Bernard, as well as former Middlesbrough player Curtis Fleming, at the education day organised by charity Show Racism the Red Card.

The youngsters had the chance to pick the brains of the footballers during a question-and-answer session aimed at tackling discrimination in the game and in life.

And the three pupils who asked the best questions each won pair of tickets to Newcastle’s home match against Blackburn next week.

Olivier Bernard, who left United’s defence in 2007, told the children: “You don’t see racism on the pitch every day. But, I do remember one time, when we were playing in Italy and there were monkey chants from the crowd after 50 minutes of the game.

“We, the players, had to stop the game and talk to the referee to tell him about the abuse. The referee talked to the manager from the other team and they made an announcement across the stadium to stop the chants.