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Football Notes: Alexei Smertin Named RFU Anti-Racism & Discrimination Inspector

Former Chelsea midfielder Alexei Smertin has been "put in charge of investigating football racism in Russia." Smertin said that his new role as Russian Football Union's anti-racism and discrimination inspector means he will "put every effort into keeping racism and discrimination out of the story of football in my country." It is a "high-profile" role ahead of next year's World Cup, which is "under scrutiny over violence involving Russian fans at last year's European Championship and a rise in the number of racist incidents at domestic games." In '15, Smertin said, "There's no racism in Russia, because it doesn't exist" (AP, 2/21).

For Scottish FA Performance Dir Malky Mackay, it is a "step back in time which he regards as pivotal to his plans for enhancing the future development of Scottish footballers." While much of the Project Brave manifesto Mackay is tasked with implementing is focused on "new innovations," he believes the restoration of reserve team football is "every bit as important." Mackay is "backing the return of a reserve league, probably from the start" of the '18-19 season (SCOTSMAN, 2/21).

The Nigeria Football Federation is "backing a challenge" to "long-serving" Confederation of African Football President Issa Hayatou. Hayatou is "standing for an eighth successive term of office, but faces opposition from" Madagascar FA President Ahmad Ahmad. NFF President Amaju Pinnick said that the CAF needs a "new generation" of leadership (BBC, 2/21).

FIFA joined forces with a host of parties to develop and rehabilitate sports fields and promote life skills through sport in Namibian schools in the Khomas and Ohangwena regions. The German FA (DFB), Namibia FA and German development agency GIZ signed a memorandum of understanding to show their commitment to the project. The project will benefit 23 schools and one vocational training center in the country (FIFA).

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