Tottenham Hotspur and Stoke City legend Garth Crooks
The Only A Game? exhibition at World Museum Liverpool is playing host to a round-table debate on the future of European football.
UEFA, National Museums Liverpool, the Northwest Regional Development Agency and the National Football Museum are proud to present the exhibition, which runs until April 26 2009 at World Museum Liverpool. The partners have now teamed up with Kick It Out, football's equality and inclusion campaign, to debate the following question:
Is it really such a beautiful game?
Why does racism still haunt European football - and what can we do to stop it?
The Only A Game? debate takes place on Monday 16 March at World Museum Liverpool, William Brown Street, Liverpool L3 8EN.
A panel of former players, anti-racism activists, policy-makers and journalists will address the question of racism in European football, including former Tottenham Hotspur player and BBC pundit Garth Crooks OBE, Daily Telegraph sports writer Henry Winter, UEFA spokesman William Gaillard, and John Hughson, Professor of Sport and Cultural Studies at UCLAN and Director of the International Football Institute.
Garth Crooks has been one of football's most vocal supporters of anti-racism initiatives, and believes that organisations such as Kick It Out have had a genuine impact on the sport.
"There has been a huge shift in the attitude of people within the game with regard to black players and their contribution to the game. It's much more healthy."
The debate links in with UEFA's Only A Game? interactive exhibition, which invites visitors of all ages to plunge into the emotions of football, and reflect on the social and cultural aspects of the modern game.
In a unique collection, Only A Game? has brought together some of the most prized trophies and memorabilia from across the continent.
For more information on the Only A Game? exhibition, please visit onlyagame.info
