FIFA president Gianni Infantino has called for automatic forfeits for teams if their supporters are found guilty of racist behavior.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino Calls for Stronger Action Against Racism in Football

The recent incidents of alleged racist chanting directed at AC Milan’s goalkeeper Mike Maignan and Coventry’s Kasey Palmer have sparked a strong response from FIFA President Gianni Infantino. In light of these “totally abhorrent” events, Infantino has emphasized the urgent need for harsher punishments for teams whose fans engage in racist behavior.

Infantino proposed the implementation of an automatic forfeit of games for teams whose fans commit racist abuse, in addition to worldwide stadium bans and criminal charges for the perpetrators. He stressed the importance of standing in full solidarity with the victims of racism and discrimination, reinforcing the message of “No to racism!” and “No to any form of discrimination!”

Expressing his unwavering support for the affected players, Infantino called for unified action from all relevant stakeholders, highlighting the crucial role of education in schools to eliminate racism from football and society for future generations.

The FIFA president’s resolute stance was echoed by Maignan, who emphasized that meaningful change is essential, as racist abuse has persisted in football for far too long. The public support from both Milan and Inter, along with Serie A’s condemnation of all forms of racism, reflects a unified front in the fight against discrimination. Additionally, the powerful statement from France striker Kylian Mbappe, declaring “enough is enough,” underscores the collective determination to address this pressing issue.

The events at Udinese and Sheffield serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing battle against racism in football, prompting a renewed call for comprehensive measures to eradicate this scourge from the beautiful game.