Fifa says anti-racism taskforce had 'completed work'
27 Sept - Fifa has defended its decision to scrap an anti-racism taskforce, with critics branding the move "shameful".
The Fifa Taskforce Against Racism and Discrimination was set up in 2013 to develop strategies to tackle the issue.
Fifa general secretary Fatma Samba Diouf Samoura said: "It had a specific mandate, which it has fully fulfilled."
But former Fifa vice-president Prince Ali bin al-Hussein said: "For it to be disbanded with Fifa considering its work done is extremely worrying."
Prince Ali, the president of the Jordan Football Association and a former Fifa presidential candidate, added: "The notion the current Fifa leadership believe the taskforce's recommendations have been implemented is shameful."
Anti-discrimination group Kick it Out was "perplexed" by the decision.
In a statement it said: "This comes at a time when there is clear evidence that discrimination, prejudice and hate are on the rise in developed societies.
"Organisations that are actively campaigning against racism and discrimination will be deeply disheartened to hear news of the disbandment, as they look to Fifa for leadership in a game which is so popular across the world."
However, Kick It Out did say it was "reassured" after holding talks with Fifa later in the day.
Hope not Hate chief executive Nick Lowles told the BBC the decision to wind up the taskforce sent out "a really bad signal".
He and Kick it Out chair Lord Ouseley also questioned what world football's governing body planned to do to tackle racism in the future.
Former taskforce member Osasu Obayiuwana said there "remained a lot of very serious work for the taskforce to have done".
Speaking at the Soccerex global football conference in Manchester on Monday, Samoura said the taskforce's recommendations had been turned into a "strong programme" to tackle racism.
She added: "My presence here is a demonstration that Fifa has a zero-tolerance policy against discrimination, not only racism but any kind of discrimination, including violation of human rights."
Samoura will present Fifa's first Diversity Award later on Monday.
BBC
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