Swans V Cardiff Anti-Racism Campaign backed by Plaid

Plaid Cymru Member of the Senedd for South Wales West, Dr Dai Lloyd has this week backed the “Rivals on the Pitch – United Against Racism” campaign set up by Swansea and Cardiff supporters ahead of the Championship derby between the two sides on the 20th March.

Players “taking the knee” has become a common sight since football returned in the summer of 2020, a gesture against racism and in support of Black Lives Matter, not as Conservative Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab suggested, “something from Game of Thrones.”

The Rivals on the Pitch – United Against Racism campaign which has attracted support from former Cardiff City and Wales defender, Nathan Blake, is encouraging fans to post anti-racism messages on their social media accounts ahead of the Swansea V Cardiff game.

Dr Lloyd stated,

“I have submitted a Statement of Opinion to the Senedd supporting the Rivals on the Pitch – United Against Racism campaign. It’s incredibly frustrating that we still need anti-racism campaigns in 2021, but we have seen in recent weeks vile abuse towards Yan Dhanda, Swansea’s only player of Indian heritage and one of the few Asian players in the Championship.”

“I am pleased that there is clearly a very loud anti-racism sentiment in Welsh football. Trolls who abuse players online for the colour of their skin have no place in Welsh sport and we as a society must ensure that their bigotry does not enter the mainstream.”