Sepp Blatter has unarguably been the only FIFA President in recent time who has suggested or implemented more ways to tackle corruption and racism than anyone else. After supporting various noble causes to enhance soccer’s reach around the world, this 78-year-old soccer brain has again reiterated his earlier suggestions that racism is the biggest threat to the most popular outdoor game, in fact, he is dedicated to eradicate this menace from this game at any cost. Reportedly, there have been many advices on how governing bodies should handle the cases of color discrimination, including banning spectators to enter into the ground or playing critical games inside empty stadium. But, Blatter never supported these ways as they can never be as effective as a serious sanction over the team could be. Like, he has suggested over several occasions that teams should be punished either via points’ deduction or in any other way so players or even fans could understand that any racial act would ultimately harm their team’s overall prospects of winning a match.
Racism is actually a broad word which includes many kinds of discriminating acts by the players or fans sitting inside the stadiums, in fact, on many occasions, media and TV commentators have also been accused of indulging in such discriminating solicitation. Everyone remember how FIFA ordered Ukraine vs Poland world cup qualifier to be played in empty stadium after crowd made money chants and Nazi salute. Blatter specifically advocated ‘drastic and severe’ sanctions against anyone who found guilty of making chants. What he said about his proposal is, “Sporting sanctions are the only effective punishment. It has to cause the clubs real hurt otherwise nothing will change. The troublemakers must be punished and it is clear to me that clubs are responsible for the hooligans.”
In ages old history of soccer, we have until seen punishments like ban along with monetary fines but none of them could ever be as effective as points deduction could be and that is why Blatter is asking all the regions to thoroughly support his concept before he retires, otherwise it would take years for anyone who joins FIFA’s top position as there would be many hurdles in gathering consensus for the same. If we look at the FIFA current rules that deal with racism, anyone who is caught doing the nasty act, is warned at first and then banned to play matches, however, in some cases, it is also written that team’s points can also be deducted along with expulsion from the competition.
Broadly, it looks like a good idea but at the same time a most difficult one to seek consent from every region; hence Blatter would have to use his experience to gather support for his noble cause.