May 16, (THEWILL)- FIFA Secretary, General Mattias Grafstrom, has revealed that the football governing body will present a proposal at its Congress on Friday, to implement mandatory sanctions, including match forfeits, for incidents of racist abuse. In a letter to all 211 member associations, Grafstrom outlined rules and sanctions, in-game actions, and potential criminal charges to combat racism.
The proposed measures would make racism a specific offence in disciplinary codes, carrying severe penalties like match forfeits. Games will be paused, suspended or abandoned if racist behaviour occurs, with a standardised gesture for players to alert referees. The three-step procedure involves issuing warnings, suspending matches until abuse stops, and potential abandonments.
Furthermore, FIFA aims to criminalise racism in every country where it is not already illegal and push for stricter prosecution where laws exist. Educational initiatives involving schools and governments are planned, alongside establishing an anti-racism panel of former players.
This firm stance demonstrates FIFA’s commitment to eradicating racism from football. Grafstrom emphasised the need for robust action: “We must have globally consistent standards and sanctions to remove this blight from the game.”
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