Friday 7th March 2008
Barile is Community Champion
Dundee United FC supporter Mike Barile joined international football legends Craig Brown, Brian Kerr, Bryan Hamilton, Ian Rush and Graham Taylor to receive an award in Belfast last Friday 7th March as Scotland's Football Without Frontiers (FWF) Community Champion.
The FWF UK & Ireland network presented the award to Mike Barile for his inspiring voluntary contribution to tackling bigotry in the game and Scottish society over the last five years.
Mike has helped to reach a total of over 2,000 young people with the anti-bigotry message since 2003, organizing events at Tannadice Stadium in conjunction with Football For All and Dundee United FC which tackle both racism and sectarianism. As well as his community outreach work, Mike has been instrumental in arranging finance for fan actions and permanent anti-bigotry perimeter hoardings around Tannadice to remind all supporters that racism and sectarianism are not welcome around the club.
As a result of Mike's contributions, ArabTRUST and Dundee United FC have maintained their position as one of the most proactive clubs in Scotland with regard to promoting equality through the use of football.
Scotland's FWF Community Champion Mike Barile said:
"I was delighted when I heard about the nomination for the Award. To actually win is a great honour not only for myself but for ArabTRUST. Dundee United FC has also been very supportive especially the Chairman, Eddie Thompson who has embraced the Football For All message."
Thursday 27th September 2007
Dundee unites against religious hatred
Tannadice Park hosted Scotland's inaugural 'Kick-Out Bigotry' event on 27th September organised jointly by Dundee's two professional football clubs, with added support from the two respective supporters' trusts - Dee4Life and ArabTRUST.
150 pupils from a mixture of denominational and non-denominational Dundee primary schools attended the event which included an anti-sectarianism question and answer session with DUFC manager Craig Levein, Dundee assistant manager David Farrell, and DUFC players including Sean Dillon and Jon Daly.
Speaking at the event, DUFC Manager Craig Levein said:
"Sectarianism has no place in football and no place in our society. Although Dundee United is not associated with such behaviour, none of us can afford to be complacent and we are therefore pleased to give our support to this national campaign to kick out bigotry."
Sean Dillon of DUFC added:
"There is simply no excuse for sectarian behaviour in the 21st century, and it is up to us, as responsible players, to take a lead by encouraging youngsters not to participate in sectarian behaviour and to challenge such behaviour in their friends. I know that together, we can make a real difference and give it the boot."
Mike Barile, ArabTRUST Associate Director said:
"I am delighted that DUFC and ArabTRUST are able to support the national campaign against sectarianism by hosting this ground-breaking seminar today at Tannadice. For far too long bigoted behaviour has been a scar on some aspects of Scottish football. The images of abusive chanting from the stands is simply unacceptable. Young Dundonians have an important role to play in challenging sectarian behaviour when they see or hear it in their classroom or their community."
Kick-Out Bigotry Campaign Director Roddy McNulty said:
"Both Dundee clubs have put aside their football rivalry today to send out a powerful, united message - Dundee City rejects religious hatred. The supporters' organisations deserve great credit for arranging this event, which could provide a model for fans' organizations in Scotland's other major cities. United efforts like this will be crucial if we are to confine religious bigotry to Scottish football history."