Racism has no place in sport. That really should go without saying. The nation is now officially committed to outlawing racism everywhere. However, there are unfortunately still racist incidents at some football events. Sometimes they involve spectators, sometimes the players. Always they are a disgraceful betrayal of the spirit of sport.

Bradford has made a good start in combating this sort of bigotry. Bradford City has shown the nation the way, helping to launch the high-profile Show Racism the Red Card campaign earlier this season.

Now the club has rightly been praised for its initiative and commitment by the national anti-racism organisation Kick It Out, which has also commended the work of players from several Bradford-based teams.

This district is well-placed to show the nation the way to outlaw racist attitudes from the terraces and touch-lines as well as from the pitches themselves. A useful start has been made with the setting-up of the new local group provisionally called the Sports Campaign Against Racism.

The campaign co-ordinator of Kick It Out has also expressed satisfaction in his new report with the West Riding County FA for showing a positive attitude to combating soccer racism, and has said that it could be a model for other areas to follow.

What is worrying is that the report highlights the number of racist attacks being reported from amateur football events. Although some professional clubs are criticised for not getting to grips with "a simmering problem", others - like Bradford City - have taken a lead which amateur clubs and leagues should now make every effort to follow.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.