FIFA, in a complete U-turn from their usual stance over keeping football and politics separate, are now advocating players demonstrating amid ongoing worldwide protests following the death of George Floyd.
Entitled “Stop racism. Stop violence”, world football’s governing body have been less equivocal than in an earlier statement released on Tuesday morning.
Now, as an increasing number of footballers across the globe use social media to protest the death of George Floyd amid the Black Lives Matter movement, FIFA have insisted that in-game demonstrations - such as those from Westom McKennie, Jason Sancho, Achraf Hakimi and Marcus Thuram in Bundesliga matches at the weekend - should be “applauded”.
They continue to leave themselves plenty of wiggle room where the IFAB laws of the game are concerned however, calling on leagues and competition organisers to use "common sense".
The statement from FIFA declares: “FIFA fully understands the depth of sentiment and concerns expressed by many footballers in light of the tragic circumstances of the George Floyd case.
“FIFA had repeatedly expressed itself to be resolutely against racism and discrimination of any kind and recently strengthened its own disciplinary rules with a view to helping to eradicate such behaviour.
“FIFA itself has promoted many anti-racism campaigns which frequently carry the anti-racism message at matches organised under its own auspices.
“The application of the Laws of the Game approved by the IFAB is left for the competitions organisers which should use common sense and have in consideration the context surrounding the events.”
Now Gianni Infantino has added: "For the avoidance of doubt, in a FIFA competition the recent demonstrations of players in Bundesliga matches would deserve an applause and not a punishment.
"We all must say no to racism and any form of discrimination."
"We all must say no to violence. Any form of violence."
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