Racism: ICC should act swiftly

2005-12-24 11:32

Barbados - West Indies great Sir Viv Richards called on the International Cricket Council and Fifa to move more swiftly to rid sports of racism.

"This matter of black players being subjected to abuse must be urgently addressed by the people who are in charge - the footballing (soccer) body, the cricketing body," Richards said on Friday.

"There must be plainclothed officers placed in the crowd, and when you hear that first remark an example must be made of the perpetrator and it must be done swift and quick. I believe the governing bodies have been sitting around for too long."

He was reacting to recent incidents on the international sporting stage.

During this week's first cricket test between Australia and South Africa in Perth, fans racially abused the South Africans.

Cricket Australia announced that unruly spectators face on-the-spot fines and football-style bans as part of a crackdown, and the ICC announced a zero-tolerance policy toward anyone making racist remarks and gestures.

Racial taunting and other incidents at soccer venues worldwide has prompted Fifa president Sepp Blatter to threaten clubs with relegation, suspension, and expulsion if they fail to control racist fans.

Blatter said legal experts at world soccer's governing body will decide in January what measures need to be taken to strengthen Fifa's anti-racism laws.

National federations will then vote on the proposed regulations at Fifa's annual congress next year.

"This thing must stop and the authorities must treat this like someone with a nuclear bomb," Richards said.

"If you have the fabric which is human civilisation and human society being brought down because of colour and race, to me, that is like a killer with a nuclear reactor in his hand."

Richards, known as "the Master Blaster" during a 121-test cricket career from 1974-91, was regarded as a strong advocate for black people and other minorities, and the advancement of their cause.

- AP