April 14 – South American governing body Conmebol has launched an anti-racism task force that includes former FIFA general secretary Fatma Samoura.
The task force is to work “on the development and implementation of strategies to eradicate racism, discrimination, and violence in South American football” and includes Samoura, Ronaldo and Fifpro president Sergio Marchi.
The task force will also include other former players and experts. Samoura’s inclusion is notable after she departed FIFA in 2023. She was the first female and African secretary general of the world governing body.
Earlier this month, Conmebol staged several actions to highlight the fight against racism. Before kick-off in continental competitions, players formed a crescent shape followed by a symbolic whistle and during half time, there was another symbolic action.
Conmebol has been under pressure from the CBF and Brazilian clubs to act against racism. Last month, Cerro Porteño fans racially abused Palmeiras striker Luighi during a Libertadores under-20 match in Paraguay. Conmebol fined the Paraguayans $50,000 and banned fans from the home matches for the rest of the competition. Palmeiras president Leila Pereira even called for Brazilian teams to stop competing in the Copa Libertadores.
At the Conmebol draw for the Copa Libertadores, president Alejandro Dominguez said: “Conmebol is sensitive to this reality. How can we not be sensitive to Luighi’s pain? Our challenge is to stand together as those who are not responsible for these acts…. Conmebol applies sanctions and does everything in its power to change this reality, but that is not enough.”
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