Zurich (dpa) - The world association FIFA called on its member associations, leagues, clubs and disciplinary bodies in summer 2019 to adhere to a three-point plan in the event of "discriminatory incidents".
Ultimately, this provides for the termination of a game. As a first measure, the referee should interrupt the match so that the stadium announcer can also call for the faults to be avoided. In a second step, the players should be sent to the booths "for a reasonable period of time" and the stadium announcer should issue a final warning. If the incidents repeat themselves again, the referee should end the game prematurely.
"Together we will continue to make every effort to effectively combat racism and all other forms of discrimination at all levels and around the world of football," Secretary General Fatma Samoura wrote to FIFA member associations.
Referee Christian Dingert had obviously adhered to this plan in the Bayern game at TSG Hoffenheim on Saturday. When there were insulting posters against Hoffenheim's patron Dietmar Hopp in the Bayern block, he briefly interrupted the game. Similar banners appeared again a few minutes later, and Dingert sent both teams into the cabin. There was no cancellation, but the teams only pushed the ball back and forth symbolically in the remaining 13 minutes.
In Dortmund at the game of BVB against SC Freiburg, the supporters of the hosts had voted against the chants against Hopp. Here too, referee Robert Hartmann interrupted the game for a few minutes shortly after the start of the second half. In Cologne, the restart of the game against Schalke was delayed by a few minutes because of anti-hop posters.
FIFA's Articles of Association summarize 4.1. Discrimination "based on race, color, ethnic, national or social origin, gender, disability, language, religion, political views, income, birth, sexual orientation or any other reason".
FIFA letter dated July 25, 2019
FIFA Statutes