• Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • Lionel Messi
    • Cristiano Ronaldo
    • EA FC 25
    • Wrexham
  • Boxing
    • Tyson Fury
    • Anthony Joshua
    • Oleksandr Usyk
    • Mike Tyson
    • Jake Paul
    • Logan Paul
  • UFC
    • Dana White
    • Conor McGregor
    • Khabib Nurmagomedov
    • Jon Jones
    • Paddy Pimblett
    • Joe Rogan
  • Other Sport
    • Athletics
    • Formula 1
    • MMA
    • Motorsport
    • NBA
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Snooker
    • Wrestling
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Golf
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
Football introduces 'X' gesture in FIFA competitions for very important reason

Home> Football

Published 20:44 1 Sep 2024 GMT+1

Football introduces 'X' gesture in FIFA competitions for very important reason

A new 'X' gesture has been brought in by FIFA and was debuted on Saturday night.

Josh Lawless

Josh Lawless

A new, positive change to football has been rolled out across FIFA tournaments.

On Saturday, the Under-20 Women’s World Cup kicked off in Colombia and the competition marks as the debut of a new anti-racism gesture.

Back in May, The Athletic reported that FIFA were placing emphasis on eradicating racism from football and had the idea of a new addition to the three-stop protocol in the event of racist abuse.

It was put to all 211 members of various associations, who then voted at the 74th FIFA Congress in Bangkok earlier this year.

Going forward, players suffering from vile racist abuse are able to alert referees by performing a 'X' symbol with their arms.

Advert

After this has happened, the official then has the power to pause the game before deciding if it will be suspended or abandoned should the abuse continue.

The X, where arms are crossed at the wrists, is being called a “global standard gesture” and is part of a five-pillar plan put together in a bid to stop racism.

FIFA
FIFA

FIFA consulted to players past and present to get their thoughts on the direction to take.

Advert

Other key points include the formation of a new Players' Anti-Racism panel, making sure all associations' rulebooks state that racism is a specific offence and a criminal offence for every government.

The X will be brought in all FIFA competitions, including the Club World Cup.

"Implementing the 'No Racism' gesture at the FIFA Under-20 Women's World Cup 2024 in Colombia is a key first step to empowering players throughout the world," FIFA president Gianni Infantino said.

"Now enshrined in the three-step procedure, we look forward to seeing this rolled out all over the world to maximum effect.

Advert

"This was backed through unanimous support at the FIFA Congress by all 211 FIFA Member Associations. I thank FIFA's members for their determination and efforts in what is a united fight to eradicate racism from football, and society, for good.

"I would like to thank all the players – current and past – that contributed to this step forward."

Featured Image Credit: Getty & FIFA

Topics: FIFA

Josh Lawless
Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and WWE. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has covered two WrestleMania events for SPORTbible.

X

@joshlawless_

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

2 hours ago
3 hours ago
5 hours ago
6 hours ago
  • 2 hours ago

    Ex-Chelsea wonderkid tipped to be 'football's next big thing' announces shock retirement from football

    The player made seven appearances for Chelsea and was once compared to Eden Hazard.

    Football
  • 3 hours ago

    Alexander Isak 'cut price tag' revealed as Liverpool deal with Newcastle 'in play'

    The Newcastle United forward has attracted interest from several top clubs this summer.

    Football
  • 5 hours ago

    Xabi Alonso has found the new Luka Modric for Real Madrid and it could be the signing of the summer

    The Real Madrid boss could be set to replace the veteran midfielder, who will leave the club later this summer.

    Football
  • 6 hours ago

    Odds slashed on Lionel Messi's next club as clear favourite emerges after huge news drops on Inter Miami star's future

    Lionel Messi has been linked with a move away from Inter Miami.

    Football
  • Olympic football team hit with huge point deduction as coach banned by FIFA
  • Premier League launch legal action against FIFA amid claims they have breached competition laws
  • FIFA ban ex-Premier League footballer after ruling he was NEVER eligible for his 43 international caps
  • UEFA may be forced into rule change that could cause massive problems for Premier League clubs