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Infantino on Koulibaly abuse: 'We need stricter laws to punish racists'

Infantino on Koulibaly abuse: 'We need stricter laws to punish racists'

FIFA president Gianni Infantino spoke to Sky Sports ahead of the Globe Soccer Awards: "How do you fight racist episodes like the one of Koulibaly?" Continuing to work. My first reaction as FIFA president was sadness, indignation, and solidarity with the player. I proposed a Senegalese woman as FIFA general secretary. With concrete actions, we need to send a clear message. We must condemn this behavior with severity. It must also be an incentive for football leaders to tone down a little because the situation is appropriate. Football is an open world where racism and violence must not have space".

ON THE DEATH OF BELARDINELLI - "It is inconceivable that in 2018 we can still die for football. Laws must be changed, we must look for violent people and get them out of football, we must isolate them. The collaboration between the authorities and the societies in this sense can help".

ON THE CLUB WORLD CUP - "Today people are not interested in the World Cup for Club. It does not catch the attention so we will create a great event with 24 teams from all over the world that can compete, in two weeks, for the title. We will decide how often to do it, we hope to find a solution and all the necessary support".

ON THE 2022 WORLD CUP - "In Qatar, at the moment, there will be 32 teams. We are considering widening it to 48 teams, but it is difficult. Maybe we have to involve some extra country that has the necessary infrastructure".

ON THE VAR - "It is an evolution, something that is good for football, which gives more justice to the sport: there are no longer goals in offside, as well as serious mistakes, they have become very few. Let's look at where we were two years ago and where we are today, we always have to look at the positive aspects".