By Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Guardian Nigeria
Published on 2024-01-22 03:52:18
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has expressed his strong support for the implementation of an automatic forfeit of games for teams whose fans engage in racist abuse, following the “totally abhorrent” incidents at Udinese and Sheffield Wednesday over the weekend. AC Milan’s players walked off the pitch after France international goalkeeper Mike Maignan reported hearing monkey noises coming from a section of the crowd at the Stadio Friuli. Similarly, Coventry’s Kasey Palmer received racist abuse at Hillsborough, prompting a stoppage in their 2-1 win while the match officials spoke to both managers.
Despite Milan’s eventual return to secure a 3-2 victory in added time, Infantino emphasized the need for harsher punishments in such instances. He proposed the implementation of an automatic forfeit for the team whose fans commit racist acts, as well as worldwide stadium bans and criminal charges for the perpetrators. “FIFA and football show full solidarity to victims of racism and any form of discrimination,” Infantino stated in a FIFA post on Twitter. “Once and for all: No to racism! No to any form of discrimination!”
Maignan, who confirmed that he heard fans making monkey noises, stressed the need for change, stating that racist abuse has been a recurring issue in football for many years. He called for action to be taken in response to such incidents, highlighting the presence of cameras and the need for sanctions. Both Milan and city rivals Inter have publicly supported Maignan, while Serie A has condemned all forms of racism.
Furthermore, French striker Kylian Mbappe joined the conversation, expressing solidarity with Maignan and emphasizing the urgent need for a solution to the ongoing issue of racism in football. “You are very far from being alone, Mike Maignan. We are all with you. Still the same problems and still no solution. Enough is enough. No to racism,” Mbappe posted on Twitter.
Infantino urged relevant stakeholders to take action, starting with education in schools to ensure that future generations understand that racism has no place in football or society. The events at Udine and Sheffield have highlighted the pressing need for concerted efforts to address and eradicate racism in football.
Read the original article on The Guardian
