September 5 – CONCACAF president and chairman of the FIFA Anti-Racism and Discrimination Task Force, Jeffrey Webb, has moved swiftly to praise the Brazilian expulsion of Gremio from the Brazilian Cup following a section of the club’s fans racially abusing a Santos player.
The first leg of the last-16 tie, which Gremio lost 2-0 at home, was marred by monkey chants and other taunts directed at Santos goalkeeper Aranha. The teams were supposed to play the return leg in São Paulo on Wednesday but the match was postponed and Gremio banned from the competition.
Webb has increasingly called for tougher penalties on clubs for racist incidents by their fans, saying that light penalties failed to deliver the message of zero tolerance of these incidents to the fans and football public generally.
“I commend the landmark ruling by the disciplinary commission of the Superior Court of Sporting Justice in Brazil for banning football club Gremio from the Brazilian Cup over recent racist incidents against opposing team Santos,” said Webb.
“This unanimous verdict is a courageous accomplishment for the world of football. By sending a clear message of zero tolerance across the globe, Brazil has asserted with a strong voice that racism and discrimination have no place in our sport.
“I encourage the football family to follow this brave example to ensure the fulfillment of our commitment to eradicate inequality from our fields. Let’s pave the way for deep change within our society. Let’s embrace diversity.”
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