Tweet
Fines not enuff!
FA urged to lead the fight against racism
The Football Association are being urged to lead a united English and European fight against racism, starting with a strong call to Fifa to inflict proper sanctions on those found guilty of discrimination.
By Henry Winter
Last Updated: 8:29AM BST 03 Oct 2008
Forward thinking: Lord Triesman has impressed Paul Elliot with his vision Photo: PA
The FA will also be asked to refuse Croatian fans entry to Wembley next year following the monkey chants directed at Emile Heskey in Zagreb last month.
Fifa, the governing body of world football, caused outrage when only fining Croatia £15,000 for the abuse endured by Heskey. Paul Elliott, the former Chelsea defender who advises Uefa and the EC on anti-racism matters, has joined lobby groups Kick It Out and Football Against Racism in Europe in asking Soho Square to put pressure on Fifa.
Elliott has been impressed by the FA’s new chairman, Lord Triesman, who he hopes will convince Fifa of the need to apply sanctions like suspensions. “A measly £15,000, which equates to 32p per head for the fans present, is totally unacceptable,’’ Elliott said yesterday. “Fines don’t hurt people. It has to be suspension. Fifa can deduct [qualifying] points and ban them from games.
“Fifa have adjusted their laws to enable them to apply very solid sanctions but they have chosen not to implement them. This was a gilt-edged opportunity to send out that message and Fifa didn’t. For £15,000, what message are we sending out? Are we still keeping racism in football? Michel Platini and Uefa have been abundantly clear of their zero tolerance to racism. Fifa must be.
“The key point that Fifa have to understand is that Emile has the fundamental human right to work in a racism-free environment. Emile has been wonderfully dignified but not everyone is going to handle it like Emile, not everyone is going to be as mature, as we saw in Spain.’’
In 2004, Spanish fans subjected Shaun Wright-Phillips and Ashley Cole to racial taunts in the Bernabeu.
“When we had the issue with Spain, there was a little bit of hesitancy [at the FA] over whether it should be reported in the first place,’’ Elliott continued. “Whereas Triesman has come in and said: 'This is totally unacceptable.’’’
The situation is complicated by the FA’s desire to keep Fifa onside during bidding for the 2018 World Cup. However, Elliott believes that Triesman will head the campaign to make Fifa change their lax ways.
“I have been in his distinguished company, and he has made it absolutely clear that the FA has adopted a zero tolerance stance against injustice, inequality and discrimination,’’ Elliott said. “For me, Lord Triesman gets 11 out of 10. He shows tremendous leadership.’’
Elliott stressed that the English “have to work with Fifa, not against Fifa’’, who have spoken out on racism in the past.
Elliott added that the FA would have a “valid point’’ in banning Croatian supporters from Wembley on Sept 9, 2009, and the idea will be put to Triesman.
The Football Association are being urged to lead a united English and European fight against racism, starting with a strong call to Fifa to inflict proper sanctions on those found guilty of discrimination.
By Henry Winter
Last Updated: 8:29AM BST 03 Oct 2008
Forward thinking: Lord Triesman has impressed Paul Elliot with his vision Photo: PA The FA will also be asked to refuse Croatian fans entry to Wembley next year following the monkey chants directed at Emile Heskey in Zagreb last month.
Fifa, the governing body of world football, caused outrage when only fining Croatia £15,000 for the abuse endured by Heskey. Paul Elliott, the former Chelsea defender who advises Uefa and the EC on anti-racism matters, has joined lobby groups Kick It Out and Football Against Racism in Europe in asking Soho Square to put pressure on Fifa.
Elliott has been impressed by the FA’s new chairman, Lord Triesman, who he hopes will convince Fifa of the need to apply sanctions like suspensions. “A measly £15,000, which equates to 32p per head for the fans present, is totally unacceptable,’’ Elliott said yesterday. “Fines don’t hurt people. It has to be suspension. Fifa can deduct [qualifying] points and ban them from games.
“Fifa have adjusted their laws to enable them to apply very solid sanctions but they have chosen not to implement them. This was a gilt-edged opportunity to send out that message and Fifa didn’t. For £15,000, what message are we sending out? Are we still keeping racism in football? Michel Platini and Uefa have been abundantly clear of their zero tolerance to racism. Fifa must be.
“The key point that Fifa have to understand is that Emile has the fundamental human right to work in a racism-free environment. Emile has been wonderfully dignified but not everyone is going to handle it like Emile, not everyone is going to be as mature, as we saw in Spain.’’
In 2004, Spanish fans subjected Shaun Wright-Phillips and Ashley Cole to racial taunts in the Bernabeu.
“When we had the issue with Spain, there was a little bit of hesitancy [at the FA] over whether it should be reported in the first place,’’ Elliott continued. “Whereas Triesman has come in and said: 'This is totally unacceptable.’’’
The situation is complicated by the FA’s desire to keep Fifa onside during bidding for the 2018 World Cup. However, Elliott believes that Triesman will head the campaign to make Fifa change their lax ways.
“I have been in his distinguished company, and he has made it absolutely clear that the FA has adopted a zero tolerance stance against injustice, inequality and discrimination,’’ Elliott said. “For me, Lord Triesman gets 11 out of 10. He shows tremendous leadership.’’
Elliott stressed that the English “have to work with Fifa, not against Fifa’’, who have spoken out on racism in the past.
Elliott added that the FA would have a “valid point’’ in banning Croatian supporters from Wembley on Sept 9, 2009, and the idea will be put to Triesman.
