Miami – The FIFA Task Force Against Racism and Discrimination, chaired by FIFA Vice-President and CONCACAF President Jeffrey Webb, held its second meeting at the Home of FIFA in Zurich today to discuss its education platform and measures.

“This is not a battle of football but of human kind,” said Webb during his opening remarks. “We are grateful to have the support of all these experts who have joined the task force.”

During the session, deliberations focused on actions to be implemented following the landmark Resolution on the fight against racism and discrimination approved on May 31st at the 63rd FIFA Congress after a powerful address from Webb.

“It’s not only up to FIFA to implement the key decisions adopted by the Congress with regard to the fight against discrimination and racism. The implementation process needs to be fully supported by all member associations and society as a whole,” said Webb during the session.

The Task Force analyzed prevention and education measures to further enhance the fight against discrimination, as well as the enforcement of sanctions to punish offences.

Headed by Webb, the group identified the following matters as key priorities:

– Allocation of specific resources for the fight against racism and discrimination,

– Development of an anti-discrimination handbook to be provided to all Member Associations for best practice and training,

– Identification, recruitment and training of anti-discrimination officers,

– Identification of high-risk games,

– Identification and engagement of anti-discrimination ambassadors,

– Proposal of special award for achievements in the area of anti-discrimination.

The creation of the Task Force was announced by FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter in early March 2013, following a meeting of the FIFA Strategic Committee, as part of a series of measures to tackle the pressing issue of racism and discrimination in football.

Participants in today’s meeting included:

Chairman

• Jeffrey WEBB,  Cayman Islands (FIFA Vice-President, President of CONCACAF)

Vice-Chairman

• Jacques ANOUMA (FIFA Executive Committee member)

FIFA President

• Joseph S. BLATTER

Members

• David BERNSTEIN (former Chairman of The Football Association Ltd.)

• Yury BOYCHENKO (Chief of Anti-Discrimination Section at United Nations Human Rights Office of the High  Commissioner)

• Osasu OBAYIUWANA (Associate Editor NewAfrican Magazine)

• Piara POWAR (CEO of FARE)

• Claudio SULSER (Chairman FIFA Disciplinary Committee)

• Theo VAN SEGGELEN (FIFPro Secretary General)

• Howard WEBB (FIFA Referee)

Advisors

• Anthony BAFFOE (former international player)

• Jorge BALLESTERO (magistrate)

• Véron MOSENGO – OMBA  Switzerland (UEFA)

• Tokyo SEXWALE (Mandela Foundation and anti-apartheid activist)

• Hilary O. SHELTON (Director, NAACP Washington Bureau)

FIFA Secretary General

• Jérôme VALCKE

FIFA Administration

• Federico ADDIECHI  (Head of CSR)