No Racism
Following its unanimous approval at the 74th FIFA Congress in Bangkok, Thailand, on 17 May 2024, a global crossed arms gesture to signal racist abuse is now part of football protocol at FIFA tournaments. The No Racism Gesture is designed to empower players, team officials and referees to take a stand against racism. By crossing their hands at the wrists, players can signal directly to the referee that they are being targeted by racist abuse, prompting the referee to start the three-step procedure.
Three-Step Procedure
Where racist abuse is caused by spectators, the referee will use the No Racism Gesture to prompt the Three-Step Procedure.
Step 1 - Stop the match
Referee
The referee observes or receives a report of abuse. They will use the No Racism Gesture to signal the incident. The referee will decide whether or not to stop the match.
Player
A player who is targeted by abuse uses the No Racism Gesture to signal the incident to the referee, captain or team official. The referee will decide whether or not to stop the match.
Competition Official
The Competition Official observes or receives a report of abuse. They will communicate to the referee the need to stop the match. The referee will decide whether or not to stop the match.
An announcement is made at the venue to inform everyone of the reasons for stopping the match, and that if the incident does not cease, the match will be suspended.
Step 2 - Suspend the match
If the incident does not cease upon the match being restarted, the referee suspends the match and instructs both teams to return to the dressing rooms. An announcement is made at the venue to inform everyone of the reason for stopping the match, and that if the incident does not cease, the match will be abandoned.
Step 3 - Abandon the match
If the incident does not cease upon the match being restarted, the referee will abandon the match. This will only happen after consultation with the relevant authorities and experts and only when it is safe to abandon.