FIFA reveals promised anti-racism pledge and urges all soccer bodies to mandate abuse as an offense

BANGKOK (AP) — FIFA will urge all 211 national federations to mandate racist abuse in soccer as a disciplinary offense.

Soccer’s world body also suggests “a global standard gesture for players to communicate racist incidents” to referees — hands crossed at the wrists and raised in the air.

A five-pillar pledge on tackling racism will be put to FIFA member federations on Friday at their annual meeting in Bangkok.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino promised months ago to make a worldwide proposal and has consulted with Brazil star Vinicius Junior, who is Black and has been repeatedly abused by fans in Spain while playing for Real Madrid.