Print

Mail

wiki links

Leading figures unite to fight racism in French soccer

Abdeslam Ouaddou of Valenciennes wears an anti-racism shirt during their match against Metz at the Nungesser Stadium in Valenciennes, France, on Feb. 16. PHOTO: AFP

Leading sports figures are uniting to combat racism in French soccer and want harsher punishments.

UEFA president Michel Platini, French Sports Minister Bernard Laporte and French league president Frederic Thiriez all spoke out after racism tarnished the image of French soccer once again last weekend.

"The fight against racism is the dossier I want to work the most on, as it is something intolerable," Platini said on Thursday.

Thiriez wants the government to crackdown on a far-right group of fans from first division club Metz calling themselves "The Faction" -- which includes the even more extreme "Identity Youth" group.

"It is without doubt the time to announce such a dissolution for the first time," Thiriez said, adding that he has submitted the matter to the interior ministry.

About 10 members of "Youth Identity" made Nazi salutes at the end of last week's match at French leaders Lyon, in response to Metz players throwing T-shirts into the crowd emblazoned with an anti-racism logo.

Metz stewards present at Stade Gerland last Saturday are working with police to identify the culprits, who could face up to a year in prison and a fine of up to 15,000 euros (US$22,600).

In a separate incident, a Metz fan has been banned from attending matches for three months for making racist remarks to Valenciennes captain Abdeslam Ouaddou, who is Moroccan, on Feb. 16.
This story has been viewed 722 times.