In a bid to combat racist abuse in football, FIFA is set to propose a new global standard gesture for players to signal incidents of racism to referees. This move comes amidst growing concerns over the prevalence of racial discrimination in the sport and the need for a more unified response.
The proposed five-pillar pledge on tackling racism will be presented to FIFA member federations at their annual meeting in Bangkok. This pledge aims to make racist abuse a disciplinary offence in all 211 national federations and calls for match forfeits as a specific punishment for such offenses.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has consulted with Brazil star Vinícius Júnior, who has been a victim of racial abuse while playing for Real Madrid in Spain. The proposed gesture, involving crossed hands raised in the air, is intended to create a standard way for players to communicate instances of racism on the field.
Football has faced challenges in dealing with racism for over a decade, with inconsistencies in on-field responses and post-match disciplinary actions. Instances where players have been penalized for trying to leave the field due to racial abuse highlight the need for clearer guidelines and protocols.
FIFA is pushing for the universal adoption of the crossed hands gesture as a signal for referees to initiate a three-step process when racist or discriminatory abuse is heard during a game. This process includes pausing play to issue warnings, taking teams off the field, and ultimately abandoning the game if the abuse persists.
The crossed hands gesture, as demonstrated by United States athlete Raven Saunders at the Tokyo Olympics, has sparked discussions about the intersection of sports and social issues. While some see it as a powerful symbol of solidarity against oppression, others view it as potentially controversial and subject to scrutiny by sports governing bodies.
As FIFA prepares to present its proposal on combating racism in football, the debate over the efficacy and implications of the proposed gesture continues. The need for a unified and decisive response to racial discrimination in sports remains a pressing issue that requires thoughtful consideration and collaboration among stakeholders.
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