FIFA is pushing for a unified approach to combat racism in soccer, urging all 211 national federations to make racist abuse a disciplinary offense. The organization is advocating for the adoption of a crossed hands gesture by victims to alert referees to abuse, following consultations with affected players like Real Madrid's Vinícius Júnior.
The crossed hands gesture gained attention when United States athlete Raven Saunders used it on the medal podium at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, symbolizing solidarity with oppressed individuals. FIFA is encouraging players to utilize this gesture, with referees instructed to reciprocate by taking action.
However, the Kick It Out group expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of new hand gestures, suggesting that empowering players to leave the pitch when faced with abuse might be more impactful.
Under FIFA's proposed five-pillar pledge on tackling discrimination, teams whose fans or players engage in racial abuse could face severe disciplinary measures, including forfeiting games. These measures will be presented to FIFA member federations at their annual meeting in Bangkok.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has been actively involved in addressing racism in soccer, consulting with players like Vinícius Júnior, who has endured racial abuse in Spanish stadiums. The organization aims to create a panel of players to oversee the implementation of anti-racism actions globally.
Despite previous efforts to combat racism in stadiums, soccer has faced challenges in enforcing tougher sanctions due to legal complexities and concerns about provocation. FIFA's proposal includes a standardized three-step process for handling racial abuse during games, emphasizing the importance of pausing play, issuing warnings, and potentially abandoning matches.
The organization is calling for all federations to adopt this process, lobby governments to criminalize racism, and promote anti-racism initiatives in schools. The gesture of crossed hands, initially used by athletes like Feyisa Lilesa in protest against oppression, has become a symbol of unity and diversity in the fight against racism in sports.
