FIFA adopts new racism sanctions

PanARMENIAN.Net - The Fйdйration Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) has adopted new rules to combat racism in football.

The resolution introduced by Jeffrey Webb, the chairman of the FIFA's Anti-Racism and Discrimination Task force, at the world governing body's congress in Mauritius today, May 31.

The resolution is based on three concepts: education; prevention; and stricter application of sanctions.

In regard with education, the competition organizers shall establish a concrete action plan, showing their intention to fight all forms of racism and discrimination among their players, officials and supporters.

Moreover, a specialized official must be in the stadium to identify and record any potential acts of racism or discrimination. The evidence will be available to the appropriate judicial bodies.

Last FIFA decided to include stricter sanctions in the FIFA Disciplinary Code. From now on it will be mandatory for all member associations to offer the relevant judicial bodies the necessary discretion when deciding on specific cases of supporter misconduct. However, the sanctions imposed on a club or representative team will follow a two-stage approach, New Europe reported.