FIFA clarify deadline on racism crackdown
World football's governing body FIFA have clarified the deadline they set for the implementation of a new law that punishes clubs whose fans racially abuse players after Inter Milan escaped with a mere fine for a recent transgression.
Under the new system, clubs found guilty of failing to prevent their supporters from abusing players on racial grounds could be docked three points for a first offence, six for a second and even relegated in the case of repeated incidents.
But last week, Inter Milan escaped with a fine of just 25,000 euros (31,000 dollars) from the Italian football authorities as punishment for the racist behaviour of their fans during a Serie A match against Messina, with no hint of a points deduction.
In a statement posted on their website, FIFA said the new ruling would come into effect immediately for those football associations whose regulations already contain a clause setting out the same punishment.
But other football associations that have no such rule regarding racial abuse, such as Italy, have been given a July 1 deadline to implement the new law, FIFA said.
Messina's African defender Mark Zoro, an Ivory Coast international, was subjected to monkey chants at the San Siro, leading to speculation that Inter may be the first club to fall foul of FIFA's tough new laws.
A points deduction would have hit Inter's Champions League qualification hopes but observers around Europe were stunned to see the Italian giants let off with just a fine.
It was the second time this season that Zoro had been racially abused by Inter fans.
Source: AFP
Under the new system, clubs found guilty of failing to prevent their supporters from abusing players on racial grounds could be docked three points for a first offence, six for a second and even relegated in the case of repeated incidents.
But last week, Inter Milan escaped with a fine of just 25,000 euros (31,000 dollars) from the Italian football authorities as punishment for the racist behaviour of their fans during a Serie A match against Messina, with no hint of a points deduction.
In a statement posted on their website, FIFA said the new ruling would come into effect immediately for those football associations whose regulations already contain a clause setting out the same punishment.
But other football associations that have no such rule regarding racial abuse, such as Italy, have been given a July 1 deadline to implement the new law, FIFA said.
Messina's African defender Mark Zoro, an Ivory Coast international, was subjected to monkey chants at the San Siro, leading to speculation that Inter may be the first club to fall foul of FIFA's tough new laws.
A points deduction would have hit Inter's Champions League qualification hopes but observers around Europe were stunned to see the Italian giants let off with just a fine.
It was the second time this season that Zoro had been racially abused by Inter fans.
Source: AFP
posted by garrettmullan
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