The world’s football governing body, FIFA is holding its 74th annual congress in Bangkok, Thailand on Friday May 17, 2024 and among the many issues to be deliberated upon is a series of proposals to combat racism entitled, “Global Stand against racism in football.”
“The time has come for football to unite to unequivocally commit as a global community to address the issue of racism in the game,” declared FIFA.
“It is very important not just to talk about racism and discrimination, but to take action in a decisive and convincing manner – zero tolerance,” said Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA. “There is no football if there is racism,” he added last June 2023 following racist chants against Brazilian star Vinicius Jr who plays for Spanish giants, Real Madrid.
Ahead of this event, FIFA circulated a memo to its 211 members, following an extensive consultation with current and former players and stakeholders with a suggested comprehensive package to stem the rising tides
The five-pronged package is a combination of rules and sanctions to be taken by member countries, the implementation of a three-step procedure to be taken on the field, to the recognition of racism as a criminal offence in every country, educational programs and the establishment of a Players’ Anti-Racism panel composed of former players who would monitor and advise on the implementation of these actions.