IT will be interesting to see exactly what Fifa’s “hardline” approach to racism at next week’s World Cup will be.

Two years ago the governing body closed its anti-racism taskforce, declaring that it was mission complete. Three days later a banana was thrown on to the pitch during a match in Russia – the host for this year’s tournament.

Furthermore, since then there has been an increase in racist and homophobic chants at football matches in Russia. Just how flimsy their “hardline” approach is was evidenced after French players were racially abused in the country during a recent friendly.

Fifa fined the Russian FA £22,500. That’s just £6500 less than the fine imposed on the English FA when a player drank the wrong brand of energy drink during an under-20s match.

Hardline indeed.
Charlie Evans
Edinburgh