FIFA supremo Joseph Blatter has once again been forced to tackle racism in football and appears to want to try new things to stop it. Blatter, who spoke at the English FA's 150th anniversary dinner argued that fines were not an effective restraint. “We need to eliminate teams from a competition or deduct points. Only by such decisions is it possible to go against racism and discrimination. If we don't do that it will go on and go on. We have to stop it; we need the courage to do it.” “The FIFA congress has found that it was nonsense for racism to be dealt with fines. You can always find money from somebody to pay them. It is nonsense to have matches played without spectators because it is against the spirit of football and against the visiting team. It is all nonsense. “We can do something better to fight racism and discrimination. This is one of the villains we have today in our game. But it is only with harsh sanctions that racism and discrimination can be washed out of football.” The issue of racism was brought to the fore again recently after UEFA opened an investigation into complaints by Manchester City's Yaya Toure that he was racially abused by CSKA Moscow fans. Member of the FIFA Task Force Committee Osasu Obayiuwana told Al-Ahram Weekly, “What happened in Moscow is a matter for UEFA to manage.” However, he added, “It has been discussed that confronting the situation in Russia should be a priority assignment for the task force, ahead of the 2018 World Cup. I am strongly in agreement with that. Special measures are needed, no question about that. “I believe that FIFA may have to directly intervene in the affairs of national associations that have shown that they lack the capacity to confront racist behaviour at football matches. Why? Because it is clear that without outside help, the problem will continue. I think this is clear for many countries where the problem is endemic” Obayiuwana said The Ivory Coast's Toure, who threatened to lead a campaign to boycott the 2018 World Cup in Russia if racism continues in their football stadiums because of his experience and others there as well, met Jeffrey Webb, chairman of the FIFA Task Force Against Racism and Discrimination following that incident. In their meeting, Toure revealed his experience at the game and the racial abuse he faced by the Russian fans. Webb told the BBC that he met Toure “out of respect to what he has endured and to find out what has transpired.” He also said he agreed with Blatter's comments at the anniversary dinner over the best way of dealing with racist incidents. “I completely agree that fines and closures don't work anymore. This time it's over. Now, legislation was created by us and the whole 209 members of FIFA have accepted and adopted it. UEFA has also implemented legislation. “Now is the turn of the legal experts, the disciplinary committees and the various appeal processes to take place. But they must take the lead on this. They must be strong and make strong decisions in the best interests of the game. “We've done our part, we've done the legislation. Now the task force is focusing on education, focusing on providing material for our member associations to create the diversity there needs to be.” In his meeting with Toure, Webb said the player had shown interest in assisting with the education programme. Webb sent a message to Russia believing that they need to change now “The message to Russia must be that they embrace and hold close to diversity as they are going to host the whole world there. We do believe that FIFA and the Russian authorities, the local organising committee, will put things in place. In four and a half years we hope that Russia will welcome the world.”
