UEFA's Problem with Racism and What Should be Done to Prevent it in the World Cup?
Racism remains one of the most persistent and damaging issues confronting modern football, and UEFA’s ongoing struggle to eliminate it from European competitions continues to draw criticism. Despite campaigns, sanctions, and public messaging, incidents involving players, supporters, and on-field confrontations have repeatedly resurfaced. Each new case reinforces the perception that football’s governing structures have not yet found a deterrent strong enough to shift behavior at every level of the sport. As attention begins to turn toward the next global tournament cycle, questions are emerging about how lessons from European competitions can inform prevention strategies for the FIFA World Cup.
Under the authority of UEFA, anti racism initiatives have been visible for years. Campaign slogans, stadium messaging, and match protocols demonstrate institutional awareness of the problem. However, critics argue that enforcement has lagged behind rhetoric. Punishments for discriminatory behavior have often been viewed as inconsistent or insufficiently severe to change long-term conduct. Partial stadium closures, fines, and short suspensions may signal condemnation, but they do not always create lasting accountability. This gap between messaging and deterrence has fueled debate among players, supporters, and advocacy groups.
A central challenge lies in football’s emotional environment. Stadium atmospheres are intense, tribal, and sometimes hostile, creating conditions where discriminatory language can emerge impulsively or collectively. Policing thousands of spectators across diverse cultural contexts is inherently difficult, and governing bodies rely heavily on clubs and local authorities for enforcement. When incidents occur, jurisdictional complexity can slow responses and complicate disciplinary pathways. UEFA’s experience demonstrates that combating racism requires coordination beyond competition organizers alone. A great example of this was during the Real Madrid and Benfica match, where Gianluca Prestianni allegedly racially abused one of Real Madrid’s stars, triggering an investigation by UEFA into the incident.
These concerns naturally extend to the global stage overseen by FIFA. The World Cup magnifies every aspect of football, including its challenges. With matches hosted across multiple cities and attended by supporters from around the world, the tournament creates both an opportunity for unity and a risk of high-visibility incidents. Preventing racism in such a context demands proactive strategies rather than reactive discipline. One key area for improvement is sanction clarity and severity. Clear minimum penalties for discriminatory behavior could strengthen deterrence by removing ambiguity from disciplinary outcomes. Players, clubs, and supporters would understand that certain actions trigger automatic consequences, reducing perceptions of inconsistency. Stronger competitive penalties, including point deductions or match forfeits in extreme circumstances, have been proposed as mechanisms that directly affect sporting outcomes and therefore command attention from stakeholders.
Education represents another essential pillar. Anti-racism messaging is most effective when delivered continuously rather than solely during crisis moments. Youth academies, national associations, and supporter groups can play a role in shaping cultural norms long before incidents occur. World Cup preparation periods provide an opportunity for federations to collaborate on educational campaigns tailored to participating nations, reinforcing shared expectations of respect and inclusion. Technological monitoring may also become increasingly relevant. Enhanced audio analysis, reporting platforms, and stadium surveillance tools can improve evidence collection and accelerate investigations. Faster confirmation of incidents allows governing bodies to act decisively while public attention remains focused, strengthening credibility. At the same time, transparency in investigative processes can help maintain trust among players and supporters who demand visible accountability.
UEFA’s ongoing difficulties illustrate that racism in football is not solely a regulatory problem, but a societal one reflected within the sport. The World Cup, as football’s most-watched event, carries symbolic responsibility to model progress. Achieving that goal will require consistent sanctions, preventive education, technological support, and cooperation across federations and host authorities. While no single measure can eliminate discrimination, a coordinated approach can reduce its frequency and impact. Football’s global appeal rests on its ability to bring diverse communities together. Ensuring that the World Cup reflects that ideal depends on learning from past shortcomings and committing to stronger preventive action. UEFA’s experience offers both cautionary lessons and a foundation upon which more effective solutions can be built.
