FIFA has introduced a “crossed arms” gesture to combat racism during football matches, following its unanimous approval at the 74th FIFA Congress in Bangkok, Thailand, on May 17, 2024.
This global gesture, signaling racist abuse, will be incorporated into football protocol starting with the FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia in 2024, FIFA announced on Friday.
The “No Racism” gesture, aimed at empowering players, referees, and team officials, will be integrated into the existing three-step procedure used to address racist incidents during matches.
According to FIFA, when a player crosses their arms at the wrists, it will signal to the referee that they are experiencing racist abuse. The referee will then initiate the three-step process: stopping the match initially, suspending it if the abuse persists, and ultimately abandoning the match if the situation does not improve.
FIFA emphasized that this gesture will be applied at all its competitions as part of its zero-tolerance policy against discrimination.
“Fighting racism requires a united effort,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino. “Introducing the ‘No Racism’ gesture at the FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup 2024 in Colombia is a crucial first step in empowering players worldwide. We anticipate this gesture being implemented globally to great effect,” he added, noting that all 211 FIFA member associations had unanimously supported the initiative at the FIFA Congress.
Infantino also expressed gratitude to FIFA members for their “determination and efforts” in combating racism in football. He stressed the importance of working with governments and law enforcement to hold those responsible for racism accountable, stating, “We are now taking decisive and unequivocal action.”
FIFA has been actively fighting racial abuse and discrimination in football for years. In 2022, the organization launched the “No Discrimination” campaign at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, which included displaying strong, clear messages against discrimination on stadium screens and pitch-side advertising boards.
