England could risk being banned from taking part in the 2018 World Cup thanks to a new FIFA initiative that will put them in the spotlight should a section of fans continue to partake in anti-IRA chants, according to The Telegraph.
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The FA could be punished as early as next month, when England take on Ireland in a friendly, following the revelation of a new anti-discrimination measure at Wembley this week that the world governing body are set to implement.
The system will target World Cup and European Championship qualifiers, while keeping watch over ‘high risk’ friendlies for any inflammatory behaviour – something which Piara Powar, of Football Against Racism in Europe, said would include chanting about the IRA.
Any association found guilty of the charges could face a series of punishments ranging from £20,000 fines to disqualification from competitions.
“‘No Surrender To The IRA’ comes from a point which is extreme nationalism. It’s about conflict between two states. That then would be reported. We would be making reports as often as our experts feel there is a case to answer. Then it’s down to Fifa,” Powar said.
“Some of the countries in this competition are going to commit three or four offences. That would mean they will have at least a stadium closure and possibly face being kicked out of the competition. We wouldn’t be doing this if we weren’t confident Fifa had the intention at least to take action on the evidence we provide to them.”
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