HRH Prince Ali of Jordan Issues Statement on FIFA's Disbandment of Anti-Racism Task Force

LONDON, Sept. 27, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

HRH Prince Ali of Jordan, President of the Jordan FA issued the following statement today concerning FIFA's disbandment of its Anti-Racism Task Force:

"Today's announcement that FIFA is disbanding its Anti-Racism Task Force, considering its work done, is incredibly worrying. The fight against racism is far from over and the notion that the current FIFA leadership believes that the 'task force's recommendations have been implemented' is shameful. Never has the need to combat racism and racial discrimination been more evident than it is in the world we live in today. Football is the most popular sport in the world  and one of the only practical means to help the people of our world heal their differences, but we cannot begin without first addressing in real terms the racial differences and discrimination that are very real, and apparent, faced by our Football Associations, Players and Fans. It is not something that any governing body with any semblance of responsibility can down play or deny.

"I have long argued that tackling racism and discrimination should be a permanent part of the institution and that the Ad Hoc Committee should evolve into a permanent one with real support and resources. Though slogans and awards are laudable, the committee and its work should have the ability to go much further into the very fabric of society and to work in conjunction with the Football Associations, Governments, NGO's and stake holders to tackle racism and discrimination in all its forms. 

"The reality as with many programs within FIFA is that the task force was never given real support since its conception and its role was more about FIFAs image than actually tackling the issues. In fact the present task force committee has never even met! Now the idea that FIFA believes that it's the right time to disband its anti-racism task force is ridiculous. There is still so much work to do, and FIFA must show leadership, take responsibility for reform and be accountable if change isn't put into practice. 

"Transparency, trust, credibility and integrity are the values that should run through everything FIFA does - Not tackling the plague of racism and discrimination properly is an absolute betrayal of those values."

Prince Ali's statement follows FIFA's announcement today that it will be disbanding its Taskforce Against Racism and Discrimination which was created in 2013. Prince Ali is president of the Jordan Football Association.

For more information, please contact: Chris Wilson, +44(0)20-7284-694, cwilson@theproffice.com