Soccer: Hope for football turning point in North

Northern Ireland football may have reached the turning point in the battle to eradicate sectarian abuse from the game, Sports Minister Michael McGimpsey said today.

Mr McGimpsey praised the response of fans who attended Saturday’s World Cup qualifier against the Czech Republic at Windsor Park in Belfast.

Irish Football Association officials let out a huge sigh of relief when there was no repeat of the abuse directed at Glasgow Celtic player Neil Lennon by a minority of the home crowd during last month’s friendly with Norway.

Mr McGimpsey, who was at the weekend game, expressed delight at the supporters response to steps taken by the IFA to boot sectarianism out of football, including a code of conduct.

‘‘The atmosphere on Saturday was as it should be at a football match and I hope that March 24, 2001 proves to be a turning point for the game in Northern Ireland,’’ he said.

‘‘It was exactly what the vast majority of fans wanted and all those who attended the game are to be congratulated for getting behind the whole team, irrespective of the clubs the players play for.’’

The minister last week deflected calls in the Assembly for the introduction of tough new laws to bring Northern Ireland into line with the UK’s Football Offences Act.

Insisting that simply copying such legislation would not solve the problem, he stressed the need for a multi-agency approach.

Following the efforts made for Saturday’s game, he said it was vital to promote football grounds as safe and welcoming venues for a family day out.

But in a warning against complacency he added: ‘‘A good start has been made and we must build on that.

‘‘Failure to do so will not auger well for the future of football in Northern Ireland.’’