"Racism has no place in football.
Fifa is determined to continue broadcasting this message around the globe and deploying all of the means at its disposal to eliminate this form of discrimination."
The above quote was from a Fifa statement after they handed out the worst punishment possible on the Croatian FA last month. Yes thats right, in a sport where money is as rare as grass in the countryside, they fined the Croats £15,000 for rascist behaviour form their fans during the 4-1 defeat by England.
The impact of that fine must have been catastrophic. I can remember being as severely punished. One night I came home an hour late (rebel) so my mum grounded me for one night! Crazy times we live in eh?
Rascism has no place in football, but mediocore governing bodies do.
Rio Ferdinand has today spoken out against the football authorities, stating they talk a great game, but never get out there and put a performance in. Not only is he the countries best defender at the moment (im a United fan), but he's clearly got a bit between his ears too.
"Croatia were fined a few thousand quid. What's that going to do? That is not going to stop people shouting racist or homophobic abuse.
"(Fifa president) Sepp Blatter likes to speak up about things that are good for Fifa's image but I would love to see them stand up and dish out the right punishments for these incidents.
"If things like this keep happening you have to take points off them. Then the punters will realise the team is going to be punished."
I have to agree with Ferdinand's views. Football, simply, is a sport. In football you win points. Points win prizes.
So if Mr Blatter and his world football organisation are serious in the threat of "deploying all of the means at its disposal to eliminate" racism in football, lets see some truly sufficient and meaningful punishments.
Blog out.
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