FIFA toughens its fight against racism after the ‘Vinicius case’ and proposes automatic defeats in cases of xenophobia

In January of this year, Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA, called for the “automatic defeat” of teams whose fans engage in racist actions. A measure will go from saying to fact with its inclusion in the debate of the 74th congress that the organization is holding these days in Bangkok (Thailand). This measure comes after the claim of victims like Vinicius, who have asked for more effective measures against racists, so that they have a direct impact on the clubs of which they are members or supporters.

A universal gesture to denounce racism

The unified action proposal that the body presents calls for racism to be included in the disciplinary codes of each of the 211 member federations of FIFA. This initiative has been developed with the opinions and contributions of various groups. In addition, the introduction of a universal gesture is planned for players to report racist incidents to the referee, as well as the creation of a panel of retired footballers who will advise and supervise the execution of the proposed measures.

The initiative published by FIFA and sent to the federations, with the “desire” to unite to “stand up to racism” is based on five pillars that refer to regulations and sanctions; actions on the field of play itself, criminal cases, education and joint posture of the footballers, the protagonists in the game.

“The infraction will differentiate racism from other violations and will impose concrete and rigorous sanctions on all racist acts, which will include automatic defeat in a match“, explains FIFA. Actions on the field of play provide for the interruption and suspension of matches temporarily or permanently when cases of racism arise.

Spain, in the spotlight of FIFA

“We will introduce a universal normative gesture, with which players will report racist incidents and referees will signal the execution of the three-step procedure, which will be mandatory in the 211 FIFA member federations“, indicates the establishment chaired by Gianni Infantino. The third leg proposes the union of world football so that racism is considered a criminal offense in all countries of the world and so that it is criminally pursued with the firmness it deserves where it already is.

Education and a joint stance of the players complete the foundations of the initiative. “All together, united as world football, as 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 racism does not exist“says FIFA, which has Spain in its sights due to the incidents that occurred with Vinicius, but also with Acuña, Quique Sánchez Flores or Nico Williams.

In fact, it has been a matter of debate that Only what was experienced at Mestalla with Vinicius led to the closure of part of the stadium, while Getafe and Atlético managed to successfully appeal the first decision of the Sports Disciplinary Committee. “In recent months, as footballers are often willing victims of this heinous act, FIFA has carried out an exhaustive process of consultation with male and female players around the world, active and retired, who are fervent advocates of changing the situation,” Infantino acknowledged.

Nico Williams. / EFE

Lack of effective measures and unity of action

When consulted by this newspaper, sources such as Esteban Ibarra claim the lack of efficiency in the mechanisms. “We have been demanding for years that the Observatory of racism, xenophobia, intolerance and violence in the sport of which we are part be convened. It hasn’t been done for ten years. The AFE union and Aficiones Unidas have also repeatedly requested it.. We have sufficient legislation, but it is not being applied. This body needs to function and do so independently, as established by law,” he explains.

For their part, the clubs are still in the reactive phase of the process. They act when an incident occurs and even in global campaigns such as those proposed by LaLiga, there are clubs like Real Madrid or the FC Barcelona that, as a matter of affinity, carry out their own initiatives. This goes against the “unity of action” that FIFA calls for and that requires the conjunction of all actors in a common front to combat the xenophobic scourge.

2024-05-16 19:08:27
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