FIFA Boss Accused of U-Turn on World Cup Racism Measures

Dutch MEP Emine Bozkurt said Friday that Blatter had failed to live up to his earlier promises by turning his back on the draconian punishments FIFA brought into play in March, which ranged from match suspensions and points deductions, intended for implantation at the soccer showcase in Germany this summer.

However, the world game's governing body announced Tuesday that teams will not be docked points for racism by fans and the sanctions would only apply to players, coaches or team officials at the World Cup.

"Mr Blatter now regards the new measures as too difficult to implement before the World Cup, but I appeal to FIFA to live up to its earlier promises," said Bozkurt. "Racism is a crime. Racism during World Cup matches is a crime with millions of witnesses. This should be punished."

Dutch MEP's sanctions lacking FIFA backing

Bozkurt is responsible for introducing a European Parliament resolution which provides extra powers to soccer federations in the fight against racist behavior in the game. Among the sanctions introduced are new powers to referees who can abandon matches while countries or clubs whose fans or players persistently commit racist offences risk being thrown out of competitions.

FIFA boss Blatter clarified the organization’s position on racism: "Yes, (the sanction applies) if it (racism) is on the field of play, yes if it is on the technical bench or identified around the football pitch."

"But, when it comes to the World Cup public, you have an international audience and you don't know where they are sitting. How do you then identify if someone will be or won't be in favor or against (a team)?"