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FIFA To Use Observers To Monitor Racist Behavior At 2018 WC Qualifiers

FIFA is to use observers to "watch out for racist incidents at some qualifying matches for the 2018 World Cup and the 2017 Confederations Cup in Russia," according to Rob Harris of the AP. It is the latest step by FIFA in the last two years to "strengthen the fight against racism in world football." Man City and Ivory Coast midfielder Yaya Touré said, "I'm very satisfied to see that FIFA is taking this issue very seriously and putting in place concrete measures to stop behavior which goes against the spirit of our sport." Touré was "abused with monkey chants" by CSKA Moscow fans in a '13 Champions League game in the Russian capital. The anti-discrimination Fare network will decide, "based on a risk assessment, which qualifying matches require monitoring for racism" (AP, 5/12).

FIFA'S CREDIBILITY 'GONE': ESPN reported FIFA presidential candidate Michael van Praag said that he believes that the credibility of world football's governing body is "gone" under Sepp Blatter's rule, "but that he would offer the current incumbent a role in his administration should he win the May 29 election." Van Praag said that the current leadership "has failed fans and vowed to cut excessive spending at world football's governing body and make it more transparent in a bid to restore faith" in the organization. Van Praag: "If we look at FIFA today, of course a lot of good things have also happened there. We should not forget that the development, Goal Project, etc. Yes, that's right. But if you look at the ... at the worthiness of FIFA, the credibility of FIFA, it's gone" (ESPN, 5/12).

UNWILLING TO WITHDRAW: WORLD FOOTBALL INSIDER's Mark Bisson reported after "meeting secretly in Switzerland," the presidential candidates vying to oust Blatter have agreed to continue their "three-pronged mission to secure the FIFA presidency." Jordan's Prince Ali bin al-Hussein, Van Praag and former Portugal star Luís Figo held talks in Nyon, near UEFA HQ, "to discuss the merits of their campaigns to unseat the Swiss," which are backed by UEFA. Ahead of the "crunch meeting -- and with just 18 days until the FIFA presidential election -- it was rumoured that one or possibly two of the trio might withdraw from the contest and throw their support behind the remaining candidate." The trio reportedly "agreed to maintain their individual campaigns -- for the time being" (WORLD FOOTBALL INSIDER, 5/12).

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