UEFA backs Northern Ireland campaign

UEFA is making a significant contribution to a major football grassroots campaign in Northern Ireland. European football's governing body is supporting the Irish Football Association's (IFA) 'Football for All' campaign with important financial assistance over the next two years.

Social divisions
Football in Northern Ireland reflects the country's social divisions. Consequently, the IFA has pledged to make football more inclusive by developing its 'Football for All' campaign, which provides an education programme and training for clubs and supporters from all backgrounds.

Tackling issues
The campaign involves 850 clubs, 1,000 coaches, 600 referees, 15,000 players, 6,000 people with special needs, 15,000 women and girls and 8,000 schoolchildren each year. It will deal with issues such as sectarianism, racism, and the participation in football of women and people with special needs.

Equality and diversity
The objective is to promote equality and diversity by eliminating sectarianism and discrimination in football. It also aims to increase the number of girls, women, people with special needs and ethnic minorities who take part in football. The IFA is working together with football supporters, clubs, coaches, players, referees, politicians and community groups, among others, to develop the campaign.

Positive community relations
"UEFA are extremely proud to support the Irish Football Association's 'Football For All' campaign," said UEFA's deputy chief executive, Markus Studer. "The work the Irish Football Association, Northern Ireland Sports Council, Northern Ireland Community Relations Council and the Northern Ireland Supporters have carried out through the 'Football For All' campaign is a first-class example of how the sport of football can be used to promote positive community relations".

Innovative and creative
"The 'Football For All' campaign is both innovative and creative," said IFA president Jim Boyce. "It is making a positive impact on the game of football in Northern Ireland from grass-roots level to Irish League and full international level."

United through sport
IFA general secretary David Bowen added: "The 'Football For All' campaign is making football in Northern Ireland more inclusive and using the sport to celebrate diversity. In many ways this campaign is an example to everyone in Northern Ireland that we can all come together through sport and be proud of our differences."