March 21 – Jeffrey Webb, the chairman of the FIFA Anti-Racism and Discrimination Task Force, has sent a strongly worded message on the importance of embracing diversity and fighting discrimination. He also said that the Brazil 2014 World Cup is the perfect platform to make a powerful anti-discrimination statement and that the quarter finals will be dedicated to the fight against discrimination.
Webb’s statement comes on the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, and re-emphasises the importance of FIFA’s commitment to eradicate racism and discrimination from football and society.
Where FIFA has been criticised for not taking enough responsibility to change society in recent days, for example by Amnesty International in regard to workers rights in Qatar, the Webb statement clearly acknowledges that it has a leadership role to take in society as regards discrimination and that it intends to take it to bnring about “deep change”.
“FIFA and the football community have made several important steps in the fight against racism and all forms of discrimination. A Task Force was created to craft proposals and last May the FIFA Congress approved a resolution with a new set of sanctions in cases of racism that includes point deductions, expulsion from a competition or relegation for reoffenders or for serious incidents,” said Webb.
“As the most widely-spread sport in the world, FIFA has taken a zero-tolerance stance towards discrimination and will continue to put its vast platform at the service of human kind. We are hopeful this will help remove the discrimination barriers that steer the focus away from the game of football.
“Chosen by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, this year’s theme is the role of leaders in combating discrimination.
“The football family has united with a firm stance to provide a strong, effective and influential voice against all forms of discrimination through education, prevention and sanctions. We are aware that we have a special responsibility in the way we can impact football and society, especially youth. Our goal is to promote a sport in which all individuals embrace diversity and bring universality to the game throughout the world.
“The 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil will be the perfect occasion to send a clear message to the world: football is for all. The quarter finals of the tournament will be dedicated to the fight against discrimination and I am convinced that Brazil, with its diverse society, will be the perfect host. As President Rousseff mentioned recently, this will be a World Cup against racism and all forms of discrimination.
“Football has the power to promote integration and endorse positive roles models in society. This beautiful sport is filled with passion, and passion has the power to pave the way for deep change.
“As a clear mirror of the society of the 21th century, football aspires to create an environment of fellowship and respect that enhances the true talent that lies within all human beings. For achievement has no bias. Our true identity is indeed our talent.”
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