Europe does little to solve the problem
Güncelleme Tarihi:
AP
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Şubat 12, 2009 00:00
PARIS - Racism has become the scourge of European football stadiums. Whether the supporters are watching a minor league in Serbia or a major European competition such as the Champions League, matches are stubbornly plagued by prejudice from the Mediterranean Sea to the Ural Mountains.
Football officials have condemned fan racism and issued fines. But penalizing clubs or nations in ways that would hurt both them and their fans - such as disqualification from tournaments, forfeiting points or stopping a match - is something they have been reluctant to do.
But at England's 2010 World Cup qualifying match last September in Croatia, English forward Emile Heskey was abused throughout the match with monkey chants. FIFA fined the Croatian FA 30,000 Swiss francs (about $32,700), a relatively small amount.
During his successful bid for the UEFA presidency, Michel Platini earmarked anti-racism as a key priority in his election campaign.
But at England's 2010 World Cup qualifying match last September in Croatia, English forward Emile Heskey was abused throughout the match with monkey chants. FIFA fined the Croatian FA 30,000 Swiss francs (about $32,700), a relatively small amount.
During his successful bid for the UEFA presidency, Michel Platini earmarked anti-racism as a key priority in his election campaign.