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London — Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure yesterday welcomed the creation of a new anti-discrimination monitoring system for the 2018 World Cup qualifiers by world governing body Fifa. Fifa will send observers trained by the European anti-discrimination organisation FARE to qualifying matches where there is felt to be a high risk of racist behaviour from fans.
The monitors will report any incidents of discrimination to Fifa, which will be able to take disciplinary action against the countries concerned.
“I’m very satisfied to see that Fifa is taking this issue very seriously and putting in place concrete measures to stop behaviour which goes against the spirit of our sport,” said Toure, who was the victim of racist abuse during a Champions League match against CSKA Moscow in 2013.
The Ivory Coast international, a four-time African Footballer of the Year, added: “It’s really important to know what a big problem racism is in society in general. Sometimes people don’t take reports of that.
“We have to show them something has to be done and I hope it will be done. That’s why we’re here today, to express and speak for the people who can’t speak.”
Toure, who is a consultant to Fifa’s anti-discrimination and racism taskforce, was speaking at the launch of the monitoring system at London’s Wembley Stadium. — AFP
Bongani Moyo
Online Reporter