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Gianni Infantino vows to fight racist "idiots"

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has vowed to fight what he has called racist "idiots". He says he...



Gianni Infantino vows to fight...
Soccer

Gianni Infantino vows to fight racist "idiots"

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has vowed to fight what he has called racist "idiots".

He says he will talk to former Portsmouth midfielder Sulley Muntari, who was sent off for leaving the field in protest at racist chants aimed at him while playing for Italian side Pescara at Cagliari.

Muntari was given a one game ban, which was overturned on Friday.

Infantino says FIFA will "continue to fight" to tackle racism.

"Unfortunately idiots, there are always idiots everywhere but we have to fight them. We have to work on the people," said Infantino, adding that he intends for FIFA "to work together" with stakeholders to do something about the issue including the head of the Italian FA Carlo Tavecchio.

In an interview with BBC about what he experienced, Muntari had called for FIFA and UEFA to do more to combat racism within the game: "Fifa and Uefa only care about what they want to care about. If they want to fight racism they should be able to jump right in and tackle it. 

"Maybe the new president Infantino will do something about it. He has a different mind.

"I think he is capable of doing something in a good way to fight racism. I want him to fight racism."

Before Muntari's ban was overturned, former English top flight midfielder Garth Crooks had called for players to go on strike in Italy until the suspension was lifted.

Charity Kick It Out said, "Garth Crooks, an independent Kick It Out Trustee, is calling for every self-respecting black player in the Italian League to not play this weekend unless the Italian authorities withdraw the ban on Sulley Muntari."

Muntari's highly controversial ban overturned

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