FIFA has launched a new universal arm gesture to signal incidents of racial abuse during matches.
The ‘No Racism’ gesture, which will see participants cross their arms when they believe an incident occurred, will empower players, referees, and team officials to take a stand against racism.
It will be implemented at the FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia which starts on Sunday.
The new gesture, which was approved at the FIFA Congress earlier this year, be implemented as part of FIFA’s existing three-step procedure for incidents of alleged racism.
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 has launched a new universal ‘No Racism’ arm gesture to signal incidents of racial abuse
The gesture will be implemented throughout all FIFA competitions and become part of the three-step procedure, which all FIFA affiliated countries have agreed to make a mandatory ensuring that this applied everywhere in the world.
‘Fighting racism is something we all need to stand up and do together,’ said FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
‘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.
‘Now enshrined in the three-step procedure, we look forward to seeing this rolled out all over the world to maximum effect.
‘This was backed through unanimous support at the FIFA Congress by all 211 FIFA Member Associations. I thank FIFA’s members for their determination and efforts in what is a united fight to eradicate racism from football, and society, for good.
‘Fighting racism is something we all need to stand up and do together,’ said Gianni Infantino
‘I would like to thank all the players – current and past – that contributed to this step forward.
‘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.’
