News in 2006

27th February 2006

FIFPro after abuse directed to Eto'o: 'Racism must be dealt with firmly'

FIFPro urges the Spanish Football Federation to strongly condemn the racist chants that were directed at Samuel Eto'o of Barcelona in the game against Real Zaragoza last Saturday. Condemning the player for contemplating the field is merely at smokescreen.

Tony Higgins of FIFPro's Anti-racist Unit: 'Clubs and fans who are guilty of racist abuse in the Spanish leagues must be firmly dealt with by the federation and the clubs involved be directed to ensure that their fans change their behaviour.

The experience in other European countries is that racism must be dealt with firmly and with resolve. Pretending it does not exist is not a strategy; nor is blaming the player.

The policy of FIFPro on anti-racism is clear. Three stages should be involved in attempting to change the behaviour of the fans.'

1 - clubs and fans guilty of racist abuse should be forced to involve themselves in educationally initiative aimed at eradication and monitored by the football federation.

2 - tough football sanctions should be imposed on clubs and countries who consistently infringe the rules regarding racist abuse or actions be it at domestic or international level.

3 - Ultimately the Government at national and European level should ensure that anti-discriminatory laws should be virously applied to sport and football in particular.

Eto'o has also been abused at a number of other Spanish first division grounds and the problem is far from isolated.

Higgins: 'Football should not be a sanctuary for racist behaviour; we therefore urge the Spanish football federation to at least apply the minimum UEFA standards in their competitions.'