By Meletus EZE
The most complete anti-discrimination and diversity programme in the history of World Cups was implemented at this summer’s tournament in Russia, FIFA’s Head of Corporate Social Responsibility Federico Addiechi said on Wednesday.
“This was the most complete anti-discrimination and diversity programme we’ve ever set up at a FIFA World Cup.
“We are very pleased with the results, that’s the reason we set up a very comprehensive plan to address these issues.
“We also want to make sure that this World Cup is the most inclusive World Cup possible, making sure that every fan is welcome in a safe environment and won’t be subject to discrimination,’’ Addiechi told newsmen.
He explained that FIFA had established an anti-discrimination monitoring system, with three anti-discrimination observers working at each of the World Cup matches.
Two of the observers are responsible for the supporters of the teams playing in the match, while the third monitors the neutral and Russian crowd.
“We have very comprehensive accessibility programme to make sure that people with disabilities have best possible experience from this World Cup. This was the most successful one that we’ve seen at World Cups,” Addiechi added.
He also said FIFA had carried out educational programmes in Russia in the build-up to the tournament.
“We worked with schools and universities here in Russia. We trained 40,000 people including volunteers, security officers, personnel, FIFA staff on benefits of diversity, on how to treat people according to our standards, according to our zero tolerance policy to discrimination,” Addiechi said.
The 2018 FIFA World Cup kicked off on June 14, with the final set to be played at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium on Sunday.
