Citizenship: 'Racism isn't just about the chants of racist thugs'

"The guy carried on shouting 'you black this and that' and then he turns round and he says to me, 'Oh, not you mate, you're all right, it's just these ones, they get right on my nerves'."

This tale of casual, football-ground aggression is all too familiar, but in this case it is recounted by England international defender Rio Ferdinand, and for once it might do some good. Ferdinand is one of dozens of players and managers who have signed up for the "Show Racism The Red Card" campaign to clean up the game.

It started in 1996 with the support of just three players in one club, Newcastle United. But now its posters are in grounds around the country, featuring many of the best players and managers in the Premiership, including Alan Shearer, Arsène Wenger, Thierry Henry and Ferdinand himself. Moreover it seems to be making a difference, anecdotally at least.

While the aggression on the terraces is some of the crudest racism around, it is by no means the end of the story. Campaign co-ordinator Ged Grebby says the charity is trying to branch out from the stadium to a discussion of discrimination and racism in a broader context – views of asylum seekers and muslims in particular. The initiative is also attracting a broader base of sponsors, who now include Unison and the European Commission, as well as the Professional Footballers Association.

"Racism isn't just about racist thugs," says Grebby. "We try to get over the message that it is also about the people who don't give out jobs on a fair basis, or deny minority groups their rights.

"The big aim is to get young people involved in thinking about the issue. Citizenship will really help because in the past you relied on the good will of teachers to fit it in somewhere in the school day. Now at last we know where it belongs."