19.12.2016

FIFA takes action over homophobia in Latin America and racism in Europe

FIFA have announced a series of sanctions against nine countries following homophobia and racism during qualifying matches for the 2018 World Cup and international friendly matches.

The latest sanctions included fines and national teams being made to switch stadiums for home matches and follow reports from the Fare observer scheme that is part of a global drive to tackle discrimination in FIFA regulated matches.

The Football Association of Chile has been sanctioned with a ban on playing at the Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos, in Santiago, for two matches and fined CHF 30,000 over their follower's homophobic chants. The ban will be served at the team's qualifying matches against Paraguay and Ecuador in 2017.

Honduras has been sanctioned with a one match ban on playing at the Olympic Stadium in San Pedro Sula and fined CHF 40,000 for several incidents during the Honduras v Panama match. The suspension will be served at Honduras’ qualifier against Costa Rica in March 2017.

Romania has been sanctioned with a ban on playing at the Arena Națională in Bucharest for two matches and fined CHF 95,000 for a series of incidents during the qualifier against Poland. The first ban will be served at the qualifier against Denmark, whereas the implementation of the second ban is suspended subject to a probation period of two years.

Greece has been fined CHF 80,000 for several incidents during the Greece v Bosnia and Herzegovina match, including the display of a political banner by fans, and Ukraine has been fined CHF 60,000 for discriminatory chants by fans during the Ukraine v Serbia friendly.

In addition, Poland has been fined CHF 35,000, Argentina CHF 30,000, Bosnia and Herzegovina CHF 25,000, Colombia CHF 25,000, Panama CHF 25,000, Mexico CHF 20,000 and Venezuela CHF 20,000 for various incidents involving unsporting conduct by fans, including homophobic chants. Another procedure opened against Mexico is currently on going.

From FIFA

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