Recently, FIFA announced its plan to address the issue of racist abuse in football. This plan includes urging all 211 national federations to make racist abuse a disciplinary offence within the sport. Furthermore, FIFA suggests implementing a global standard gesture for players to communicate racist incidents to referees. This gesture involves crossing hands at the wrists and raising them in the air. Along with these measures, FIFA proposes match forfeits as a specific punishment for instances of racism on the field.
As part of FIFA’s efforts to combat racism in football, they plan to present a five-pillar pledge to member federations at their annual meeting. This pledge aims to unite the football community in addressing the issue of racism on a global scale. Additionally, FIFA seeks to establish a panel of players who will monitor and advise on the implementation of these anti-racism actions worldwide.
Despite ongoing efforts to address racism in football, the sport has faced challenges in effectively combating discriminatory behavior in stadiums. There have been instances where investigations into racist abuse were dropped due to a lack of evidence beyond the player’s claim. Moreover, black players who attempted to leave the field after experiencing racial abuse have faced punishment themselves, such as receiving a yellow card.
FIFA’s proposal includes a three-step process to address racial and discriminatory abuse during matches. This process involves using the crossed hands gesture as a signal for referees to pause the game, issue warnings, and ultimately take teams off the field or abandon the match. FIFA emphasizes that this process should be mandatory across all 211 national federations to ensure consistent action against racism.
The crossed hands gesture, proposed by FIFA, holds symbolic meaning and recognition in the fight against racism. United States athlete Raven Saunders used this gesture on the medal podium at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, signifying solidarity with oppressed individuals. The gesture aims to serve as a universal signal for referees to address instances of racial abuse during matches.
FIFA’s comprehensive plan to tackle racism in football represents a step forward in addressing an ongoing issue within the sport. By urging national federations to adopt anti-racism measures, implementing a global communication gesture, and establishing clear guidelines for on-field responses, FIFA aims to create a more inclusive and respectful football environment for players and fans worldwide.