December 9 – FIFA have decided to take no disciplinary action against Croatian side HNK Rijeka after dropping Manchester City’s allegation of racism during an under-21 friendly last summer.
City’s development coach Patrick Vieira took his side of the pitch when 19-year-old French midfielder Seko Fofana complained he suffered racial abuse after being sent off. But FIFA said “there were not enough elements to justify the opening of disciplinary proceedings.”
Croatian clubs have a history of racist abuse but Rijeka called the claim “baseless” after the match was abandoned, suggesting Vieira ordered his players off to avoid further embarrassment as his team were losing 1-0
Last October, City midfielder Yaya Toure called for stronger action against racism after he was subject to chanting from CSKA Moscow fans. The Russian club were fined €50,000 by UEFA and ordered to close part of their stadium.
FIFA stressed its latest ruling did not mean it has gone soft on racism.
“The relevant parties were notified …. in the form of a letter, which also emphasised FIFA’s zero-tolerance stance against any form of discrimination,” FIFA added.
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