Unity against racism in French soccer

PARIS – Leading sports figures are uniting to combat racism in French soccer, and want harsher punishments.

UEFA president Michel Platini, sports minister Bernard Laporte and French league president Frederic Thiriez all spoke out after racism tarnished the image of French soccer once again last weekend. “The fight against racism is the dossier I want to work the most on, as it is something intolerable,” Platini said on French radio on Thursday.Thiriez wants the government to crack down on a far-right group of fans from first-division club Metz calling themselves “The Faction” which includes the even more extreme “Identity Youth” group.”It is without doubt the time to announce such a dissolution for the first time,” Thiriez said, adding that he has submitted the matter to the interior ministry.About 10 members of “Youth Identity” made Nazi salutes at the end of last week’s match at French leader Lyon, in response to Metz players throwing T-shirts into the crowd emblazoned with an anti-racism logo.Metz stewards present at Stade Gerland on Saturday are working with police to identify the culprits, who could face up to a year in prison and a fine of up to N$150 000.Nampa-AP”The fight against racism is the dossier I want to work the most on, as it is something intolerable,” Platini said on French radio on Thursday.Thiriez wants the government to crack down on a far-right group of fans from first-division club Metz calling themselves “The Faction” which includes the even more extreme “Identity Youth” group.”It is without doubt the time to announce such a dissolution for the first time,” Thiriez said, adding that he has submitted the matter to the interior ministry.About 10 members of “Youth Identity” made Nazi salutes at the end of last week’s match at French leader Lyon, in response to Metz players throwing T-shirts into the crowd emblazoned with an anti-racism logo.Metz stewards present at Stade Gerland on Saturday are working with police to identify the culprits, who could face up to a year in prison and a fine of up to N$150 000.Nampa-AP