Revolution in football: Fifa introduces anti-racism gesture during matches for players who experience racism in the stadium
The procedure for reporting racist incidents in stadiums, unanimously approved in May at the 74th FIFA Congress, will be implemented for the first time at the U20 Women’s World Cup. Players and officials will be able to report a racist word or gesture by crossing their arms.
A step forward in the fight against racism. For the first time, players, referees and team officials will be able to report any racist incident at the U20 Women’s World Cup, which takes place from 31 August to 22 September in Colombia. To do so, they will have to cross their arms at their wrists to form an X in front of their chest.
The head referee will then be able to initiate a three-step procedure. The first is to stop the match. If the racist behaviour continues, the match will be temporarily stopped and the players and referees will leave the field. If the incidents persist, the game will be stopped permanently.
A mandatory measure in all federations
This is the second of the five pillars of the global mobilisation against racism adopted at the 74th FIFA Congress in May. This protocol was voted on and made mandatory in all federations. On Instagram, Gianni Infantino indicated that the initiative has received the unanimous support of FIFA’s 211 member associations.
“I would like to thank them for their determination and efforts to achieve our common goal of eradicating racism once and for all, both in football and in society. I would also like to thank the players – past and present – who have made their contribution. We must work with the public authorities and the police to sanction those who threaten to destroy our sport through racism. The time has come to take strong and unequivocal action,” the president of the body wrote on Friday.
Several football matches have been disrupted by racist incidents. France goalkeeper Mike Maignan recounted the insults he suffered with AC Milan during the match against Udinese, while Vinicius is one of the players regularly targeted. Officials are also sometimes targeted, as during a Ligue 2 match between Bastia and QRM at the end of 2023.
Introduced on the occasion of the U20 Women’s World Cup, the cross-shaped sign will then be applied in all competitions. Les Bleuettes enter the competition on Saturday against Canada at 10 p.m. French time.
