Racism fears resurface ahead of World Cup
FIFA’s willingness to prosecute any racism complaints at the World Cup in Russia was questioned by activists Thursday after the governing body dropped a case from the final of the Under-17 edition without taking action.
England striker Rhian Brewster reported overhearing teammate Morgan Gibbs-White being called a “monkey ” by a Spanish opponent during their team’s 5-2 victory in India last October.
FIFA’s disciplinary panel concluded there was a “lack of sufficient evidence that could corroborate the English player’s claim,” opting not to impose a sanction based on that testimony alone.
London-based football antiracism organization Kick It Out called FIFA’s handling of racism investigations “nothing short of a disgrace.”
“With this outcome, there has to be little confidence that FIFA can effectively deal with any potential incidents of racism and discrimination that may occur during this summer’s World Cup and that is not a prospect to fill anyone with confidence about what is in store in Russia this summer,” Kick It Out chairman Herman Ouseley said.
FIFA is assessing whether to sanction the Russian soccer federation after monkey chants were aimed at black French players, including Paul Pogba, during the visiting team’s 3-1 friendly win over the World Cup hosts in St. Petersburg last month.
FIFA declined to provide details on the Under-17 World Cup final investigation.
“Despite the absence of a sanction, which can only be imposed on the basis of clear evidence, the disciplinary committee would like to restate FIFA’s unequivocal, zerotolerance stance against all forms of discrimination,” the Zurich-based body said in a statement.