FIFA has given more details of the crossed-arms gesture to be used to trigger the three- step procedure against racism during all matches falling run by the world governing body.

"Following its unanimous approval at the 74th FIFA Congress in Bangkok, Thailand, on 17 May 2024, a global crossed arms gesture to signal racist abuse will become part of football protocol when implemented at the FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup Colombia 2024," FIFA said.

The world football's governing body said that the ‘No Racism’ gesture is designed to empower individuals such as players, referees, and team officials and will be implemented as part of the existing three-step procedure at the tournament that kicks-off on Saturday

Crossing hands at the wrist

By crossing their hands at the wrists, players will be able to signal directly to the referee that they are being targeted by racist abuse, prompting the referee to start the three-step procedure. “With the first step, the match will be stopped. If the abuse continues, the match will be suspended, with the players and match officials exiting the field of play. In the event the incident does not cease, in the third step, the match will be abandoned," FIFA added.

"Implementing the ‘No Racism’ gesture at the FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup 2024 in Colombia is a key first step to empowering players throughout the world.” FIFA President Gianni Infantino said. “It is now enshrined in the three-step procedure, we look forward to seeing this rolled out all over the world to maximum effect.”

Infantino added that all 211 FIFA members supported the measure at the FIFA Congress. "We must all work with governments and police authorities to bring consequences for those who threaten to ruin our sport with racism. Now we are taking resolute and unequivocal action," he added.

‘Use it for other forms of discrimination too’ says Fare

The Fare network have welcomed the gesture, “Anything that adds clarity in identifying discrimination during a match is welcome. The gesture is clear and we hope will be used by players and others actively involved in a match,” said a spokesperson.

“Our advice to players who suffer other forms of discrimination - such as homophobic or sexist abuse - during a game to use it and signal the abuse to the referee. The three-step procedure is in operation to deal with other forms of discrimination across the world and can be triggered using this procedure.”

FIFA previously launched the ‘No Discrimination’ campaign at the 2022 Men’s FIFA World Cup in Qatar to raise awareness. As part of this campaign messages were shown on the stadiums' big screens and pitch-side advertising boards.

The Fare network works with FIFA to identify matches where racism is a high risk factor, sending expert observers to collect data and where appropriate to make reports as part of the FIFA regulatory process. The system is currently active during World Cup qualifiers across the world.