The 74th FIFA Congress tomorrow in Bangkok will discuss the adoption of specific sanctions for cases of racism, different from other offences, which will include automatic forfeiture of matches and the introduction of a universal normative gesture in which the players will report racist incidents.
The proposal for unified action to be unveiled by the body this Friday aims to make racism a specific offence, to be included in the disciplinary codes of each of FIFA’s 211 member federations.
Creating a panel of former footballers
Prepared with their opinions and contributions, it provides for introducing a universal gesture for players to report racist incidents to the referee, as well the creation of a panel of retired footballers who will advise and oversee the implementation of the proposed measures.
The initiative published by FIFA and sent to the federations, with the “desire” to unite to “stand against racism”, It is based on five pillars that define regulations and penalties; actions on the field of play, criminal cases, education and joint posture of footballers.
General gesture of denunciation and automatic defeat
In the regulations and sanctions section, it plans to convert “racism into a specific offence, which will be compulsorily included in the disciplinary codes of each of FIFA’s 211 member federations.”
“The offense will distinguish racism from other offenses and impose specific and severe penalties on all racist acts, which will include automatic loss of a match,” the initiative added.
Actions on the field of play provide the delay and suspension of matches temporarily or permanently when there are cases of racism. “We will introduce a universal regulatory act, where players will report racist incidents and referees will signal the implementation of a three-step procedure, which will be mandatory in all 211 member federations of FIFA,” he said.
A criminal offence
The third pillar The world football union is proposing to make racism a criminal offence In all the countries of the world and so that it is criminally pursued with the firmness it deserves where it already is.
Education and a joint position of football players complete the pillars of the initiative that will be presented tomorrow in its Congress in “a proposal for unified action.”
“Everyone, united as world football, because we recognize that no child is born racist, we will create and promote pedagogical initiatives in collaboration with schools and governments, with the aim of achieving a world where there is no racism,” said of initiative. , while announcing the creation of Players Against Racism Panel, composed of retired footballers, who will advise on these actions and supervise their implementation worldwide.
Extensive consultation process
In a circular to all its member associations, FIFA states that “in recent months, as footballers are often the victims of this heinous practice, it has carried out an exhaustive consultation process with male and female players around the world, active and retired, fervent advocates of changing the situation.
“The time has come for football, in general as a global community, to commit to eradicating the scourge of racism from our sport. Football can be proud to continue to set an example for the rest of society and show how much it can do.” when the world is united for a common goal, now it is up to us to take advantage of this unique capacity to fight for this cause that is so important for current and future generations,” noted the secretary general of the organization. Matthias Grafstromin the text communicated on the eve of the Bangkok Congress.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
