By Andrew Warshaw
May 21 – The FIFA vice-president leading the campaign to wipe out racism in football says there must be no let-up in the effort to spread the message and punish the offenders. Jeffrey Webb, President of CONCACAF and head of FIFA’s anti-discrimination Task Force, was a guest speaker at Tuesday night’s star-studded 20th anniversary of Britain’s Kick It Out movement and called for collective solidarity and inclusion.
Delivering one of the end-of-evening speeches – Martin Luther King III, eldest son of the late civil rights leader also addressed delegates – Webb was diplomatically careful not to mention any case specifically. But he made it clear there was some way to go, citing “latest instances” of racism which most likely related to fan misbehaviour in Spain and Italy.
Congratulating Kick It Out for its “great vision”, Webb said: “The overwhelming positive responses throughout the globe in support of a zero tolerance stance proves society is slowly moving towards protecting the basic principle of respect.
“Since being appointed Chairman of FIFA’s Anti-racism and Discrimination Task Force, I have asked myself, how could we free the football family from racism and discrimination? And here we are, a year later at the home of football, talking about the latest incidents and reports.”
“We must increase the awareness of inclusion and diversity. Creating a career advisory panel and development symposiums to identify and prepare talent might be a good start. We must reward best practice and partnerships that empower those who exercise their responsibility towards greater equality and fairness. We must educate to eradicate inequalities. We must show the positive effects of respect within society. And we must be strict on the consequences of inappropriate behavior across all levels of football.
Education and Sanction from the top down.”
Webb, who is from the Cayman Islands and is due to host a dinner later today with a number of hand-picked past and present players, said the forthcoming World Cup would be “the perfect occasion”, because of its diverse society, to further bang the anti-racism drum.
“There are diverse opinions on how to achieve these goals of integration,” he said. “Solidarity among the football family, NGOs and other stakeholders is paramount. Let us all think how we can best achieve this colossal challenge together. I am truly hopeful we will be able to remove the discrimination barriers that steer the focus away from this beautiful game.”
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1734844101labto1734844101ofdlr1734844101owedi1734844101sni@w1734844101ahsra1734844101w.wer1734844101dna1734844101