GENEVA (AP) — FIFA has fined six national federations, including defending champion Argentina, for racist abuse by fans in the World Cup qualifiers in June.
Six countries charged with “discrimination and racist abuse” were Albania, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina, according to a sanctions list released by FIFA from the Disciplinary Committee. We did not provide details for either case.
The Commonwealth of Albania was fined the largest Swiss francs ($200,000) on June 7, citing a large fee Home Games Against Serbiawhich included disrupting the national anthem and sending “messages not suitable for sporting events.”
Albania and Serbia have historical political tensions that have led to what is infamous in football “Drone Game” in Belgrade in 2014 In the European Championship Qualifying Game.
The team draws 0-0 at Tirana in June, with Belgrade’s return game on October 11th. FIFA said Albania would also need to reduce the stadium capacity by 20% in future games. Latvia will be held next Tuesday with a British-led qualifying group.
Argentina was fined 120,000 Swiss francs ($149,000) by FIFA for one count of discrimination or racist abuse in a June 10 match against Colombia in Buenos Aires.
The game ended 1-1, with Argentine midfielder Enzo Fernandez being sent for a dangerous tackle. FIFA has said it will ban two games and must pay a fine of 5,000 Swiss Francs ($6,200). Argentina has already made progress in defending its title at the World Cup next year for the US, Canada and Mexico.
Six-digit fines show new toughness by FIFA on racism and discrimination Global call at the annual meeting Last year, the soccer body took action.
The Chilean Football Federation was fined 115,000 Swiss Francs ($143,000) for fan racism on June 5th in a 1-0 home loss against Argentina.
Serbia was required to pay 50,000 Swiss francs ($62,000) for racism and other incidents in the June 10 match against Andorra, and Bosnia-Herzegovina was fined 21,000 Swiss francs ($26,000) for racism and other attacks when holding San Marino.
In most cases, FIFA ordered the member federation to have a “preventive plan” for future games.
In a separate case from the Club World Cup in June, FIFA concluded an investigation into a lack of evidence against the captains of Mexican team Pachuca and Gustavo Cabral after Real Madrid defender Antonio. Rudiger claimed he was racially abused By him.
At the time, Cabral denied allegations of racism and said he used insults in his hometown of Argentina.
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