UEFA’s Racism Protocol: What is it and does it work?

UEFA introduced its three-step racism measures in 2009 and gave referees the power to stop matches.

This is how the protocol works; If a player reports alleged racism, the referee has no further powers if he does not hear what was said. The match was stopped and the details were given to the fourth referee.

On Tuesday, Vinicius walked off the field. Then it was a case of diplomacy between the two teams to restart the match.

If there had been racist abuse from supporters, as is usually the case, this would have been announced.

If racism continues, by players or fans, the match may be suspended for a longer period and another warning issued via the public address system.

If this continues, the game may be abandoned.

Bhandari said the three-step protocol “has not been triggered a large number of times,” but when it has, it has provided “a very healthy debate.”

It was used in the Premier League in the first match of the season at Liverpool by referee Anthony Taylor when Antoine Semenyu said he was racially abused by a fan during Bournemouth’s match at Anfield.

In 2013, UEFA established “European Football United Against Racism”., external policy.

It was led by Gianni Infantino, who was at that time the General Secretary of the administrative body.

The document created 11 resolutions outlining the responsibilities of players, coaches, clubs and fans.

Infantino successfully lobbied for a ban of “at least 10 matches” for players found guilty.

In 2021, Slavia Prague’s Ondrej Kudela was suspended for 10 matches after directing racist abuse at Rangers midfielder Glen Kamara.

Crossing arms to display an ‘X’ is not part of UEFA’s protocol.

FIFA introduced this in 2024 to make all participants aware of why the match was stopped.