I know this sounds dumb but have a look at this.
According to FIFA regulations: ( from http://www.fifa.com/documents/media/...ary%20Code.pdf )
Would FIFA be able to disqualify Italy if Materazzi's racial comment did infact violate the rules?
Highly doubt this would happen, but we'll see what happens. At the very least, Materazzi should be suspended for a couple of matches.
According to FIFA regulations: ( from http://www.fifa.com/documents/media/...ary%20Code.pdf )
Par. 4: If any player, association or club official or spectator perpetrates any kind of
discriminatory or contemptuous act as described by par. 1 and/or 2 of this article, three
points will automatically be deducted from the team concerned, if identifiable, after the first
offence. In the case of a second offence, six points will automatically be deducted, and for a
further offence, the team will be relegated.
In the case of matches without points, the team concerned, if identifiable, will be
disqualified.
(PAR 1 and 2: Par. 1: Anyone who publicly disparages, discriminates against or denigrates someone in a defamatory
manner on account of race, colour, language, religion or ethnic origin, or perpetrates any other
discriminatory and/or contemptuous act, will be subject to match suspension for at least five
matches at every level. Furthermore, a stadium ban and a fine of at least CHF 20,000 will be
imposed on the perpetrator. If the perpetrator is an official, the fine will be at least CHF
30,000.
Par. 2: If spectators display banners bearing discriminatory slogans, or are guilty of any other
discriminatory and/or contemptuous behaviour at a match, the appropriate body will impose
a sanction of at least CHF 30,000 on the association or club that the spectators concerned
support and force it to play its next official match without spectators. If the spectators
cannot be identified as supporters of one or the other association or club, the host
association or club will be sanctioned accordingly.)
discriminatory or contemptuous act as described by par. 1 and/or 2 of this article, three
points will automatically be deducted from the team concerned, if identifiable, after the first
offence. In the case of a second offence, six points will automatically be deducted, and for a
further offence, the team will be relegated.
In the case of matches without points, the team concerned, if identifiable, will be
disqualified.
(PAR 1 and 2: Par. 1: Anyone who publicly disparages, discriminates against or denigrates someone in a defamatory
manner on account of race, colour, language, religion or ethnic origin, or perpetrates any other
discriminatory and/or contemptuous act, will be subject to match suspension for at least five
matches at every level. Furthermore, a stadium ban and a fine of at least CHF 20,000 will be
imposed on the perpetrator. If the perpetrator is an official, the fine will be at least CHF
30,000.
Par. 2: If spectators display banners bearing discriminatory slogans, or are guilty of any other
discriminatory and/or contemptuous behaviour at a match, the appropriate body will impose
a sanction of at least CHF 30,000 on the association or club that the spectators concerned
support and force it to play its next official match without spectators. If the spectators
cannot be identified as supporters of one or the other association or club, the host
association or club will be sanctioned accordingly.)
Highly doubt this would happen, but we'll see what happens. At the very least, Materazzi should be suspended for a couple of matches.
). I'm happy to see there are still some people that know football...
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