Racism remains a particularly serious problem, including in 2024, and sport unfortunately shows us this periodically. Now, in Romania, a rather ugly case is taking shape.
Răzvan Burleanu, president of the Romanian Football Federation. PHOTO: The Truth Archive
The Romanian Football Federation announced, on Wednesday, that it opened an investigation to investigate the facts that happened at the friendly match Romania U19 – Spain U19, score 1-1, at the end of which a Romanian player was accused of racism by an opponent.
“As a result of the incidents that occurred during the Under-19 football match between Romania and Spain, the Romanian Football Federation started an investigation to investigate what happened. FRF has a zero tolerance policy regarding any form of discrimination. All national teams have a clear code of conduct that promotes respect and sporting values“, it says on the official Facebook page of the FRF.
The institution led by Răzvan Burleanu mentions that it dissociates itself from any action or statement with a racist tone and that it will take all necessary measures at the end of the investigation.
“We strongly condemn and categorically dissociate ourselves from any action or statement in the interests of the promoters of racism, xenophobia, hate speech or any form of discrimination. Respect and equality are the values that Romanian football supports, and the FRF will take all necessary measures to ensure a safe and inclusive environment for all participants in this sport“, the quoted social media site also states, without specifying the name of the Romanian player accused of racism.
According to the sports media, during the game Romania U19 – Spain U19, score 1-1, a Romanian player made racist remarks to the Spaniard Elijah Gift, a black footballer, registered with the CD Basconia group.
A few days ago, during the same friendly tournament held in Voluntari, during the match Germany U19 – Spain U19 (2-1), the German player, Almugera Kabar, accused a spectator in the stands of racist remarks.
According to Agerpres, after 0-2 with Norway, 2-0 with Germany and 1-1 with Spain, Romania finished the competition organized by FRF in third place, with 4 points.
Romania will host, next summer, the Under-19 European Football Championship, for which it is directly qualified. Romania hosted another edition of the competition in 2011.
