Opinion - By James Lwanga

SENIOR SUB EDITOR

THE United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has called for heavy punishment against the perpetrators of racism in football.

As Africa heads towards hosting the first ever World Cup on the continent, Navi Pally urged FIFA, UEFA and national footballl associations everywhere to back their strong rhetoric with serious and consistent disincentives, including stadium bans and point deductions.

She was quoted as saying: “On occasions, rich clubs and rich national bodies have escaped with derisory fines of a few thousand dollars after serious racist incidents during matches.”

True to Pally’s words, many players especially of African descent, have been targets of racist chants usually in Europe. What is amazing, however, is the way in which the problem is dealt with.

A club is fined a few thousand dollars and things are back to normal!
Much as this racism is not institutionalised like was the case in South Africa, it hurts all the same and undermines the basic tenets of respect for fellow human beings.

Racism has no place in football. Racists should be kicked out of the game and clubs have to take responsibility to protect players like Mario Balotelli of Inter Milan and Espanyol’s Idriss Kameni who have been the target of abuse.

The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination which falls on March 21 will carry more meaning if our efforts to fight the vice are genuine.