2014 World Cup FIFA Keeps Punishments to Minimum
RIO DE JANEIRO (FIFA) - Despite bringing the might of FIFA discipline down on Luis Suarez for biting an opponent, football's governing body has let plenty of other incidents go unpunished at the World Cup.
Apparent offenses on and off the pitch - from elbowing an opponent's face to fans displaying far-right banners - have prompted no action from the FIFA Disciplinary Committee.
The panel decided not to charge France defender Mamadou Sakho for his raised left elbow which struck Ecuador's Oswaldo Minda, though it had the same type of video evidence used to ban Suarez for nine Uruguay matches and four months. Intent - was it clear the player intended to injure the victim? - is crucial in these decisions.
Despite FIFA President Sepp Blatter's pledge of a World Cup which would not tolerate discrimination, fans have chanted gay slurs, worn blackface make-up and brought recognized neo-Nazi symbols into stadiums.
No disciplinary cases are currently open for those reported incidents, FIFA said Saturday.
''I think the disciplinary committee takes seriously its task,'' FIFA spokeswoman Delia Fischer said. ''They are looking at everything provided to them.''
That included video of Sakho appearing to connect with Minda, which went unpunished by referee Noumandiez Doue of Ivory Coast.
Sakho acknowledged the incident though said he did not act with malice.
''The referee took his decision and I respect his choice,'' Sakho said after match. ''It's true that I'm a tough player but I respect my opponents.''
The panel decided not to charge France defender Mamadou Sakho for his raised left elbow which struck Ecuador's Oswaldo Minda, though it had the same type of video evidence used to ban Suarez for nine Uruguay matches and four months. Intent - was it clear the player intended to injure the victim? - is crucial in these decisions.
Despite FIFA President Sepp Blatter's pledge of a World Cup which would not tolerate discrimination, fans have chanted gay slurs, worn blackface make-up and brought recognized neo-Nazi symbols into stadiums.
No disciplinary cases are currently open for those reported incidents, FIFA said Saturday.
''I think the disciplinary committee takes seriously its task,'' FIFA spokeswoman Delia Fischer said. ''They are looking at everything provided to them.''
That included video of Sakho appearing to connect with Minda, which went unpunished by referee Noumandiez Doue of Ivory Coast.
Sakho acknowledged the incident though said he did not act with malice.
''The referee took his decision and I respect his choice,'' Sakho said after match. ''It's true that I'm a tough player but I respect my opponents.''