Yaya Toure, Manchester City midfielder has expressed disappointment over the discontinuation of FIFA task force.
It would be recalled that the FIFA Taskforce was established in 2013 as a means of fighting against racism and discrimination in football.
He said that this action by FIFA makes him wonder if FIFA was actually sincere in its fight against Racism.
FIFA secretary general Fatma Samoura said the body would be discontinued because they have fulfilled their objectives.
Toure who happens to be an advisor of this body said, “When I was asked by FIFA to help with the fight against racism in football, I didn’t think twice,” he posted on his official website.
“I have experienced racism all my life – be that in the streets or in the stadiums. So to help address this was my responsibility – a way of preventing other players and fans from going through the same issues I had found in my career.
“When I received the letter telling me the FIFA task-force was to be discontinued I was very disappointed.
“The letter listed the good work that had been carried out as a result of the task-force’s advice and recommendations. So my question is, after failing to deal with racism sufficiently for decades – why stop when something is beginning to work? Are FIFA being complacent ahead of a World Cup in Russia? This makes no sense.
He continued by saying that the body was a source that gave FIFA the expertise that was not there from the onset.
“The task-force brought together the expertise of campaigners, football administrators and players.
“It was a resource that gave FIFA the expertise they clearly did not have before. As a group, the task-force could help shape and put in place the most effective initiatives to keep players and fans safe. The task-force could question when FIFA were not delivering on its promise to do as much as they could in this area.
“My only hope is that FIFA have thought this through. The letter I received does not fill me with confidence. It will be the fans and players that suffer if FIFA do not get this right”, he added.
