February 18 – Fresh moves to combat the worrying resurgence of racism in football are being discussed by FIFA with a view to firm proposals for tougher sanctions being added to the agenda at May’s increasingly significant annual congress in Mauritius.
Last week, FIFA President Sepp Blatter led a meeting of the organisation’s Strategic Committee, which discussed both racism and match-fixing.
Article 3 of the FIFA Statutes says: “Discrimination of any kind against a country, private person or group of people on account of ethnic origin, gender, language, religion, politics or any other reason is strictly prohibited and punishable by suspension or expulsion.”
Blatter has already gone on record as suggesting that points deductions and relegation could be implemented as a deterrant. Last month, Hungary and Bulgaria were ordered to play their next home World Cup qualifiers behind closed doors.
“The aim is to present to the FIFA Congress in Mauritius concrete actions, as well as strong sanctions, which will really have an impact,” Blatter said.
Any new proposals will first be debated by FIFA’s executive committee at its next meeting in March and then presented to the 209-member Congress to have the final say.
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1734919561labto1734919561ofdlr1734919561owedi1734919561sni@w1734919561ahsra1734919561w.wer1734919561dna1734919561