National Post (National Edition)
FIFA gets tougher on racist behaviour
DISCIPLINARY CODE
FIFA is doubling its minimum ban for racist incidents to 10 games and will allow players to make victim statements and participate in the proceedings, world soccer’s governing body said on Thursday.
Stricter punishments against racism and other discriminatory behaviour was a key part of FIFA’s updated disciplinary code which takes effect from Monday.
The changes follow several high-profile incidents last season in domestic and international football.
FIFA ordered Inter Milan to play two home games in an empty stadium after the team’s supporters racially insulted Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly.
Koulibaly, who received a red card for showing dissent, was banned for two matches, sparking criticism that the victim was being punished.
European governing body UEFA ordered Montenegro to play a home game in an empty stadium as part of sanctions handed out for the racist behaviour of that country’s supporters during a match against England.
The updated FIFA code expands the scope of what
THE CHANGES FOLLOW SEVERAL HIGH-PROFILE
INCIDENTS.
is considered discriminatory behaviour to anything related to “race, skin colour, ethnic, national or social origin, gender, disability, sexual orientation, language, religion, political opinion, wealth, birth or any other status or any other reason”.
A match will be forfeited by the team if supporters are found to be guilty of racist and other discriminatory behaviour.
The match can be forfeited after the referee has applied a “three-step procedure” for such incidents, which includes requesting a public announcement to call for such behaviour to cease, suspending the match until it stops, and in critical scenarios, abandoning the match altogether.
Earlier this week, FIFA also launched a new global program teaching member associations and confederations to safeguard children from abuse.
The new initiative, called FIFA Guardians, will aid members in reviewing their existing safeguarding measures through practical guidance and support materials.
Reuters