The disciplinary rules of the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) will “tighten up” the fight against racist or discriminatory behavior in stadiums, introducing a new type of disciplinary offense from the 2023/24 season.
Article 208.º-A, titled “Infringements of dignity”, establishes the sanctions framework for clubs “whose supporter insults the dignity of a sports agent or spectator, depending on their origin, sex, race, nationality, ethnicity, language, territory of origin, religion, political or ideological beliefs, education, economic status, social status or sexual orientation”.
The sanctions foreseen in the new scheme – which was approved at an FPF board meeting and is under public consultation – start with the imposition of a fine, for the first offense in the sporting season, and are aggravated by games being played behind closed doors. .
The new regulatory framework stipulates the holding of one to three games behind closed doors for the second offense and two to five games for the third and subsequent, cumulatively with a fine, which can be increased to double “in circumstances revealing particular disapproval” .
Article 62 (Discriminatory Conduct) remains in force, which provides for the application of disciplinary sanctions to clubs that “promote, approve or tolerate any conduct, written or oral, which insults the dignity of a sports agent or spectator”. meet the criteria set forth in Section 208-A.
“As it was previously difficult to prove that clubs tolerated certain behavior or did nothing to avoid certain behaviour, this rule will now ensure that clubs are much more vigilant in relation to such behaviour, under penalty of sanctions,” said the FPF. On.
Source: DN
