Premier League not following FIFA advice for handling racism

When FIFA asked every competition to enforce a three-step procedure in response to racism at matches, English Premier League did t follow advice. That disregard of protocols set out by FIFA secretary general Fatma Samoura in a July letter to every national association has created confusion as English football reels from ar marquee game being tarnished by racism. Tottenham has asked Premier League to clarify procedures it follows in wake of fallout from Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger reporting being subjected to monkey ises from home fans in Sunday's London derby.

Rudiger's complaint was swiftly followed by a warning anuncement to more than 61,000 fans in Tottenham stadium: "Racist behavior among spectators is interfering with game."  By ordering anuncement, referee Anthony Taylor was clearly following first step of FIFA and UEFA anti-racism protocol, which n allows suspension of game and eventual abandonment if abuse continues. But Premier League has a more involved six-step reaction plan that does t provide clarity offered by instructions provided by FIFA and European body UEFA for referees to follow.

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Premier League t following FIFA advice

priority for Premier League is ensuring " match is t unduly interrupted," which leads to league t demanding referees to seek an in-stadium warning to fans to cease racism.  first step after being informed of racism in Premier League is instead to ask fourth official to inform security authorities, who should n seek out perpetrators. So, when three warnings were issued at Tottenham at ten-minute intervals, re was confusion t just for television viewers worldwide and experts who believed game could be abandoned due to repeated abuse but also home team.

"When incident was conveyed to referee Anthony Taylor, he took decision to call for implementation of St 1 of UEFA protocol  rar than Premier League protocol - and asked for an anuncement to be made, as well as requesting a furr anuncement which created a misconception that any issue was on-going," Tottenham said in a statement on Monday.

" Premier League protocol differs from UEFA protocol in that it does t call for an anuncement rar that individual(s) be dealt with by safety team in first instance." 

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FIFA made clear in letter on July 25 to football officials worldwide y should follow three-step procedure, highlighting that it was a mess to "all member associations, leagues, clubs, and disciplinary bodies."  FIFA did t respond to a question about Premier League t following its protocols that were first enforced by governing body at 2017 Confederations Cup in Russia. One Germany international recounted how simple and effective protocol was by recounting his own experiences of racism while playing club football at time in Italy for AC Milan: Rudiger.

" referee should speak to stadium anuncer if racism is happening in stadium, n I think a warning is reasonable," Rdiger said. "If it still doesn't stop n I think it's good that game is aborted." 

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Tottenham is yet to find perpetrators of abuse in 24 hours since incident. rth London club has hired lip readers to study foot, is seeking details from Chelsea players and is reviewing evidence with police. "This club has a proud track record of anti-racism work across all our communities and we are determined to ensure that we conduct a thorough investigation," Tottenham said in a statement on Monday.  "At this time, however, we should point out that our findings are inconclusive and would ask that comment is reserved until facts are established."  While Tottenham manr Jose Mourinho on Monday called for wider societal action to stamp out racism at football, he also complained about an unflattering song aimed at him by Chelsea fans. "I think it was t a nice song and body speaks about it," said Mourinho, who led Chelsea to three Premier League titles across two spells in charge.

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