News in 2006

30th March 2006

FIFA Disciplinary Code: Non-discrimination

Revision of article 55 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code: Non-discrimination

Zurich, 29 March 2006 - To The Members of FIFA

Dear Sir or Madam,

FIFA has always taken its role in combating discrimination of any kind very seriously. Despite this fact, there has been a surge in discriminating gestures and language at football matches in recent months. At its meeting on 16 and 17 March 2006, the FIFA Executive Committee therefore decided to take vigorous action against this deplorable trend and to impose harsher sanctions than those hitherto pronounced under article 55 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC).

Article 55, paragraph 1 therefore now stipulates a match suspension of five matches at every level of football as well as a stadium ban and a minimum fine of CHF 20,000 for any act or expression of a discriminatory and/or contemptuous nature. If an official commits such an offence, the fine will be CHF 30,000.

Furthermore, an association or club will be fined CHF 30,000 if any of its supporters display discriminatory banners or behave in a discriminatory or contemptuous manner during a match. If spectators cannot be identified as supporters of one or the other association or club, the host association or club will be sanctioned accordingly.

The stadium ban on offending spectators remains at least two years (par. 3).

The new provision in par. 4 stipulates that if any player, official or spectator behaving in a discriminatory or contemptuous manner can be attributed to a certain team, three points will automatically be deducted from that team for the first offence. In the case of a second offence, six points will be deducted, and after a further offence, the team will be relegated. In the case of matches played without points being awarded, the team in question will be disqualified.

The confederations and associations are obliged to incorporate the provisions of this article in their disciplinary code and statutes and to enforce the sanctions stipulated. Any association fails to comply with this article will be excluded from international football for two years (par. 5).

The amended article 55 FDC takes effect immediately and the new, complete wording is enclosed for your information.

You are therefore kindly requested to take note of the amendments and to pass them on to your members. The amendments to article 55 FDC must also be enforced within the association.

Yours faithfully,

FEDERATION INTERNATIONALE
DE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION

Urs Linsi
General Secretary

cc: - FIFA Executive Committee
- Confederations

Source: FIFA