FIFA disband anti-racism taskforce since mission has been 'completely fulfilled'
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ByEurosport
Updated 26/09/2016 at 11:22 GMT
FIFA has disbanded its anti-racism taskforce, declaring that the body "has completely fulfilled" its mission.
A sign of FIFA is seen at the football's World governing body headquarters on December 17, 2015 in Zurich
Image credit: AFP
According to an AP report widely circulated around the world, FIFA wrote to members of the taskforce telling them that it "is hereby dissolved and no longer in operation" since it has "completely fulfilled its temporary mission".
The task force was set up in 2013 by Sepp Blatter and initially headed by Jeffrey Webb. Both have since left FIFA as part of the corruption scandal, with former FIFA vice-president Webb pleading guilty to racketeering charges earlier this year.
The letter sent to task force members was signed by Gerd Dembowski, FIFA's diversity and anti-discrimination manager, and said that the organisation "was set up with your help on a temporary basis to develop recommendations" and that, "we are therefore delighted to inform you that all of the task force’s recommendations have been implemented and all resulting projects are ongoing."
While the task force might have been temporary, of course, the fight against racism in football is, sadly, anything but. And one of the task force members spoke to AP in appalled terms.
"I wish I could say that I am shocked by the decision, but unfortunately I am not,” task force member Osasu Obayiuwana said, in quotes recorded by The Guardian.
The problem of racism in football remains a burning, very serious and topical one, which need continuous attention.
"I personally think there remained a lot of very serious work for the task force to have done – the 2018 World Cup in Russia being one such matter.
"But it is evident the FIFA administration takes a different position.”
After his fall from power, Webb was replaced by Congo FA chief Constant Omari - though Obayiuwana claims that no meetings were held after the change: "We never had a single meeting under his chairmanship. I wrote [to] him, more than once, asking for when a meeting would be held. But I never received a reply from him."
Kick It Out response
Kick It Out released a statement in response to the news:
Kick It Out is perplexed with the decision from FIFA to disband its anti-racism task force. This comes at a time when there is clear evidence that discrimination, prejudice and hate are on the rise in developed societies, particularly in Europe but also in different forms across the world. Football should seek to lead the way in combating such intrusions. It is clear that organisations that are actively campaigning against racism and discrimination will be deeply disheartened to hear news of the disbandment, as they look to FIFA for leadership in a game which is so popular across the world. This is also ahead of FIFA hosting the 2018 World Cup in Russia, a country which is notorious for racism and abusive activities towards minorities.
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