Thelma Osatohanmwen
FIFA President, Gianni Infantin, has taken a firm stance against racism in football, following recent incidents in Italy and England that have marred the sport.
Addressing the 73rd FIFA Congress at the BK Arena in Kigali, Rwanda, Infantino condemned the racist acts as “abhorrent” and “completely unacceptable,” emphasizing the need for severe and immediate action against such discrimination.
The incidents in question involved AC Milan and France goalkeeper Mike Maignan, who was subjected to monkey chants during a match against Udinese in Italy. This led to a temporary suspension of the game and prompted widespread condemnation, including support from Maignan’s fellow French national team players like captain Kylian Mbappe. Similarly, in England, Coventry midfielder Kasey Palmer faced racist abuse during a Championship match against Sheffield on Wednesday, an act that both clubs and football authorities have denounced.
Infantino proposed strict penalties to curb these incidents, including “automatic forfeits” for teams if their supporters engage in racist behaviour leading to match abandonment. He also called for worldwide stadium bans and criminal charges for individuals found guilty of such acts.
Emphasizing the importance of education in combating racism, Infantino suggested that initiatives should start in schools to foster values of diversity and inclusion.
The FIFA President’s statement reflects a broader concern in the football community about the persistence of racism in the sport. In Italy, the issue has been particularly pronounced, with a recent example involving Lazio fans directing monkey chants at Romelu Lukaku.