November 1 – English Championship club Queens Park Rangers have accused both FIFA and UEFA of brushing a racism complaint under the carpet as they wait to hear whether action will be taken over an incident that prompted their under-18 team to abandon a game in Spain.
The QPR coach took the players off the pitch after they were allegedly subjected to racist taunts in Seville where they were playing AD Nervion in a pre-season game.
QPR say FIFA took seven weeks to acknowledge their complaint and then told them it was a matter for UEFA. According to the club, UEFA had by then told them it fell in FIFA’s jurisdiction.
At the time of the incident in August, UEFA clarified that its disciplinary bodies could only take action for incidents that take place in UEFA competitions. Incidents occurring in domestic matches fall under the jurisdiction of the relevant national association, while those occurring in friendly matches fall under the jurisdiction of FIFA.
But QPR chief executive Lee Hoos said this was not good enough.
“FIFA and UEFA seem to treat complaints about racism like a complaint about a broken seat in a stadium,” he charged.
“I am left confused, frustrated and incredibly angry that more than 10 weeks after we lodged our complaint of racism, we are still awaiting a decision.
“There were a substantial number of people within the game who warned me at the time that this issue would be swept under the carpet and I am appalled to see this appears to be the case. I am disgusted, embarrassed and dismayed to call them our governing bodies when they are incapable of governing.”
In response to Hoos’ claims UEFA stated: “UEFA has been in regular contact with the Spanish Football Association on the matter. The case is still being investigated by the Andalusian Football Association – the competent body to deal with the case in the first place. UEFA would have the right to investigate the matter if the Spanish/Andalusian football associations closed the case without action.”
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