Lusaka (Zambia), March 24 (IANS) Zambia’s football governing body has officially reported Venezuela to world body FIFA over alleged racist remarks used against the country’s under-17 women’s team players during a 2014 FIFA World Cup game in Costa Rica last Tuesday, a statement posted on its website Monday said.
Some Zambian players complained that they were subjected to racism remarks by Venezuelan players during their Group A clash Tuesday which Venezuela won 4-0, reports Xinhua.
In a statement posted on its website, the Zambian governing body expressed disappointment and dismay regarding the unfortunate incident and that it has since reported the matter to FIFA’s disciplinary committee.
According to delegation leader, Lenny Nkhuwa, the Zambian team was subjected to monkey chants and racism taunts by Venezuela players at a hotel where they were lodged and that the racism continued at the stadium despite Zambian officials bringing the matter to the attention of FIFA officials.
“We are hoping that FIFA, in accordance with its laws that were passed at the Mauritius 2013 Congress and that clearly discredits Venezuelan’s behaviour, will denounce this kind of conduct and make public declaration of such finding in order to curtail racism prejudice by any team,” she said.
The Zambian football authorities have also asked FIFA to initiate disciplinary action under its own rules against specific Venezuela players that were in the forefront of the racist remarks.
