NI Conservatives’ co-chair, Trevor Ringland, has praised the Irish League referee, Hugh Carvill, for “taking a stand against sectarianism”, during the County Antrim Shield semi-final, at Windsor Park.
“It is disappointing that there was an outbreak of bigotry in the stands at the Linfield vs. Cliftonville match this week, and the referee did the right thing by taking a stand”, Trevor explained. “It isn’t acceptable that players or supporters should be subjected to sectarianism under any circumstances. By insisting that this behaviour be challenged over the public address system, Hugh Carvill and any other referee who takes similar action, is doing absolutely the right thing.”
“There is no reason why sectarian abuse should be tolerated at sports matches any more than racism. Northern Ireland supporters and the IFA have managed to root out offensive singing at international matches and, although a lot of progress has been made in the Irish League, those efforts need to continue to rid domestic games of the last vestiges of sectarianism, which tends to rear its ugly head at high profile events.”
“Over the past fortnight we’ve marked the anniversaries of atrocities at the Shankill and Greysteel. Offensive songs may seem like a trivial matter, but these commemorations reminds us what can happen when sectarian hatred is allowed to develop unchallenged. Northern Ireland football supporters and the IFA have shown that problems can be overcome successfully, so it is not insurmountable. We mustn’t allow the attitudes which led to bloodshed to flourish again and it is by taking a stand against bigotry, on the streets, in the workplace or on the sports-field, which will prevent a tiny minority from dragging us back.”