"There is no problem! We've put out a brochure!"
It's about time FIFA got tough on racism.....except they didn't get as tough as they could. I know it's a step in the right direction but how many steps are going to have to be taken to make serious inroads to fixing this problem. If you want to make a dent in racism then start deducting points. When teams become directly effected in the tables THEN I truly believe that the teams/clubs will start doing something about it. Unfortunately FIFA doesn't seem to have the stomach to lay down the law.
Via AP-ZURICH -- FIFA fined Bulgaria and Hungary around $40,000 each on Tuesday and ordered them to play a World Cup qualifier in an empty stadium after fans aimed racist and anti-Semitic abuse at opposing teams.
The punishments were announced as players and anti-discrimination groups demand a tougher response to fan actions at stadiums, including in Italy and Serbia.
"FIFA strongly condemns all forms of racism in football, and any form of discrimination will not be tolerated and will receive a strong response by the relevant FIFA authorities," world football's governing body said in a statement.
FIFA fined Bulgaria $38,000 and Hungary $43,400.
Bulgaria fans made monkey chants at Denmark defender Patrick Mtiliga, who is black, during a World Cup qualifier in Sofia on Oct. 12. Bulgaria, which is in the same group as Italy, will play in an empty stadium on March 22 when it hosts Malta.
Hungary fans directed anti-Semitic slogans and reportedly displayed Iran flags to insult Israel at an Aug. 15 exhibition in Budapest. Hungary's punishment applies when neighboring Romania visits on March 22.
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