LaLiga and the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) will implement in the Protocol for action in the event of public incidents the racist incident gesture that was approved at the last FIFA Congress held in Bangkok. An agreement that was adopted unanimously to combat racist attitudes and behaviors that occur on the field during competitions. This was announced in a statement published this Thursday.
The main referee of each match can activate the signal, which consists of crossing his arms at chest level, if he witnesses racist behavior, or if he receives information from a footballer or the security coordinator of the State Security Forces and Corps of a discriminatory attitude.
The Protocol of Actions against Racism, Xenophobia and Intolerance in Football, implemented since 2005, is reinforced by this specific measure for cases of racism. The protocol already includes a series of regulations and sanctions as well as awareness-raising and education plans to combat any type of discrimination.
The RFEF has even reached closing a stand at the Valencia Football Club stadium for racist insults against Real Madrid player Vinícius Junior during a match. Just over a week ago, the player said in an interview that the continued insults received during the official competition should have more serious consequences. “If Spain does not make progress in its fight against racism, it should not host the 2030 World Cup,” he said.
