FIFA Introduces 'No Racism' Gesture for Matches

FIFA has introduced a new 'No Racism' gesture, involving crossed arms, to combat racism in football, which will be implemented at the upcoming FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia. This gesture, approved unanimously at the 74th FIFA Congress, empowers players, referees, and team officials to report racist abuse directly to the referee, triggering a three-step protocol for handling such incidents. Initially, the match will be stopped, and if the abuse persists, the game will be temporarily suspended; if it continues further, the match will be abandoned. FIFA President Gianni Infantino emphasized the importance of this initiative as a significant step toward eradicating racism from football globally, supported by all 211 FIFA member associations. The gesture will be mandatory across all FIFA competitions, reinforcing the organization’s zero-tolerance policy against discrimination. This initiative marks a proactive approach to creating a more inclusive environment in football.