Message of the Chairman of the FIFA Anti-Racism and Discrimination Task Force, Jeffrey Webb, on the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

On the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, the football family reinforces the importance to eradicate racism and discrimination from football and society and reiterates its assertion to promoting diversity within the world of football.

A year ago, FIFA was invited by the United Nations on the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination to take part in a discussion on the issue of racism in sports.

Since this fruitful discussion, FIFA and the football community have made several important steps in the fight against racism and all forms of discrimination. A Task Force was created to craft proposals and last May the FIFA Congress approved a resolution with a new set of sanctions in cases of racism that includes point deductions, expulsion from a competition or relegation for reoffenders or for serious incidents.

As the most widely-spread sport in the world, FIFA has taken a zero-tolerance stance towards discrimination and will continue to put its vast platform at the service of human kind. We are hopeful this will help remove the discrimination barriers that steer the focus away from the game of football.

Chosen by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, this year’s theme is the role of leaders in combating discrimination.

The football family has united with a firm stance to provide a strong, effective and influential voice against all forms of discrimination through education, prevention and sanctions.  We are aware that we have a special responsibility in the way we can impact football and society, especially youth. Our goal is to promote a sport in which all individuals embrace diversity and bring universality to the game throughout the world.

The 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil will be the perfect occasion to send a clear message to the world: football is for all. The quarter finals of the tournament will be dedicated to the fight against discrimination and I am convinced that Brazil, with its diverse society, will be the perfect host. As President Rousseff mentioned recently, this will be a World Cup against racism and all forms of discrimination.

Football has the power to promote integration and endorse positive roles models in society. This beautiful sport is filled with passion, and passion has the power to pave the way for deep change.

As a clear mirror of the society of the 21th century, football aspires to create an environment of fellowship and respect that enhances the true talent that lies within all human beings. For achievement has no bias. Our true identity is indeed our talent.

Proclaimed by the United Nations as a day of observance, FIFA treasures this occasion and ensures the fulfillment of our commitment to eradicate inequality from our fields.

As we start the day, let us all connect to that passion that fuels the positive change we want to see in the world. Let’s all stand up against racism and discrimination. Let’s embrace diversity.

Jeffrey Webb

Chairman of FIFA Anti-Racism and Discrimination Task Force

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Schedule and Matchups Set for 2013-14 CONCACAF Champions League Semifinals

Three Liga MX Teams and One Central American Side Alive in the Battle for Regional Club Supremacy and the Ticket to the FIFA World Club Championship

Miami – The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) confirmed the schedule and matchups for the 2013-14 CONCACAF Champions League semifinals.

The two compelling home-and-away semifinal series feature a showdown between Liga MX leader Cruz Azul and 2012 Liga MX Apertura champion Club Tijuana, in addition to an equally alluring matchup between high-flying Liga MX side Toluca and Alajuelense, the lone Central American side remaining in the competition.

The action will kick off on Tuesday, April 1, with both first-leg matches. At 8 pm ET Toluca will visit Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto Scotiabank to face LD Alajuelense. Two hours later, at 10 pm ET, Club Tijuana host Cruz Azul FC at Estadio Caliente in the opener of that series.

Return-leg action begins a week later on Tuesday, April 8, at 8 pm ET, when Toluca and LD Alajuelense battle at the Estadio Nemesio Díez for the first ticket to the final of the 2013/14 CONCACAF Champions League. The second finalist will be decided at the Estadio Azul in Mexico City one day later, when Cruz Azul and Club Tijuana conclude their series at 8 pm ET.

The semifinal winners will meet in the two-leg CONCACAF Champions League Final, with the two games to be scheduled between April 15-17 and April 22-24.

The winner of the 2013-14 CONCACAF Champions earns a prized ticket to the FIFA Club World Cup Morocco 2014.

2013-14 CONCACAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE – CHAMPIONSHIP STAGE

SEMIFINALS

1st Leg

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

LD Alajuelense vs. Toluca FC – 8pm ET (6pm local)

Club Tijuana vs. Cruz Azul FC – 10pm ET (7pm local)

2nd Leg

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Toluca FC vs. LD Alajuelense – 8pm ET (7pm local)

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Cruz Azul FC vs. Club Tijuana – 8pm ET (7pm local)

FINALS

1nd Leg – April 15-17 – Winner SF2 vs. Winner SF 1

2nd Leg – April 22-24 – Winner SF1 vs. Winner SF 2