By Andrew Warshaw
November 24 – The man who ran the 2010 World Cup in South Africa says 2018 hosts Russia must crack down harder on racism to show the world it is taking the issue seriously.
The Russians are coming under increasing pressure to tackle discrimination properly following a spate of recent incidents both domestically and in Europe, mainly at club level.
The authorities are accused of being in denial by saying there is no major problem though most recently FC Rostov coach Igor Gamula said he did want to sign a Cameroonian because the club has “enough dark-skinned players, we’ve got six of the things.” Gamula, who apologized for his comments, was given a five-game ban.
In the Champions League meanwhile, CSKA Moscow have been heavily sanctioned by Uefa.
Now Danny Jordaan, the public face of the 2010 World Cup whose country spent out an arduous and painful battle against apartheid, says dealing with racism in Russia is becoming long overdue.
Jordaan, head of the South African FA, wants Russia to start implementing life bans for any players or individuals found guilty of racism within football.
“Given our own history as South Africa as a country and given our struggle against apartheid and racism…this is an issue that Russia must give serious attention to,” Jordaan told CNN.
Referring to the comments of FIFA anti-racism adviser Tokyo Sexwale who suggested black players might even boycott the 2018 World Cup, Jordaan added:
“You’ve already seen the response from some of the leading players on the African continent.”
“We will certainly, at the level of the Confederation of African Football and FIFA, raise these issues because we cannot see the same teams there that will be subjected to racial abuse and threats.”
“In our own country we opposed both legislation and the conduct of racists in our country — they must be confronted. It must be dealt with severely. There must be decisive and very strong action.”
“Such individuals certainly have no right to take charge of human-beings if the understanding is not that every human-being has equal worth. There are no players and things in the same team — it’s just unacceptable.”