Gathered in Barcelona, Spain, to play friendlies in Europe, the Brazilian team received the visit of the president of Fifa, Gianni Infantino. The leader met with the delegation of the Brazil this Thursday and promised actions to combat racism.
“We don’t just have to talk. We have to be blunt! He arrives! Enough! Brazil is the most important country in world football and we are united with the CBF so that other federations can also act firmly against discrimination in stadiums, on social networks, in the universe that involves football”, said Infantino.
The FIFA president spoke with the president of the CBF, Ednaldo Rodrigues, and the striker of the Brazilian national team, Vinicius Júnior, the target of racist attacks in Spain. At the meeting, Infantino announced that in the next few days he will create a commission made up of active athletes to discuss proposals to combat racism in football.
Then, the FIFA and CBF leaders spoke in front of all the players of the Brazilian National Team and emphasized that the actions and campaigns regarding the theme will be continuous. For Ednaldo Rodrigues, Fifa’s engagement in the fight against acts of prejudice in football greatly reinforces the initiatives taken by the CBF itself during its management.
“We are the first federation in the world to establish the loss of points as a punishment for these situations in the General Competition Regulations. And we have to go further. In Brazil, weeks ago, a fan was identified after racist offenses and ended up arrested. Racism is a crime, there can be no tolerance for crimes. We hope that society as a whole embraces this cause. Let the press reinforce this. The CBF wants the world to be happier through football”, declared Ednaldo Rodrigues.
At the end of the speeches, Infantino received a shirt number 9 from Captain Casemiro. That’s when the official approached Richarlison and asked his permission to wear the uniform. With a slight smile, the attacker gave the authorization and the two embraced.
The Brazilian team returns to the field this Saturday, at 4:30 pm (Brasília time), to face Guinea, at the Cornellà-El Prat stadium. Afterwards, Amarelinha will face Senegal, next Tuesday, at 4pm, at Estádio de Alvalade.
The post Brazilian team receives visit from FIFA president and hears promise: “If there is racism, the game has to stop” appeared first in Gazeta Esportiva.
Source: Gazetaesportiva
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