FIFA has asked competition organisers to use "common sense" with players who display messages of protest over the death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man killed in police custody in the United States.
FIFA regulations bar players from displaying any "political, religious or personal slogans, statements or images" on their kit. Since 2014, this ban has included undershirts -- a response to players lifting up their shirts to display a message when scoring.
However, several players protested during matches in Germany's Bundesliga at the weekend, with Borussia Dortmund's Jadon Sancho and Achraf Hakimi displaying undershirts with the message, "Justice for George Floyd" on Sunday.
Schalke 04 defender Weston McKennie displayed the same message on his armband in another game while Borussia Moenchengladbach’s Marcus Thuram knelt to honour Floyd after scoring against Union Berlin.
The German Football Association has said it was reviewing the incidents where the message was shown.
In a statement on Tuesday, FIFA said it "fully understands the depth of sentiment and concerns expressed by many footballers in light of the tragic circumstances of the George Floyd case".
It added that applying the laws of the game was the responsibility of competition organisers, such as domestic leagues, who FIFA said "should use common sense and have in consideration the context surrounding the events".
"FIFA had repeatedly expressed itself to be resolutely against racism and discrimination of any kind and recently strengthened its own disciplinary rules with a view to helping to eradicate such behaviors," it added in the statement.
"FIFA itself has promoted many anti-racism campaigns which frequently carry the anti-racism message at matches organised under its own auspices."
Latest Stories
-
Kufuor Scholar champions Agricultural Innovation through Fidelity GreenTech Challenge
2 mins -
EPL: Isak scores at home again as Newcastle beat Arsenal
10 mins -
I’m proud that despite all the challenges, we have maintained Free SHS – Akufo Addo
3 hours -
Alan’s running mate, KOD says GRASP will revolutionize care for the Elderly in rural areas
4 hours -
Election 2024: Alan paints Accra yellow as the crowd marches through the capital with him
4 hours -
Vacant seats: Speaker has not done what would have led to greater peace – Kofi Bentil
4 hours -
Police on manhunt for Adabraka daylight robbers
4 hours -
Lordina Mahama presents medical supplies and equipment to Tishigu Health Center
4 hours -
Lordina Mahama urges Ghanaians to prioritise regular health screenings
4 hours -
EC to reassess decision on presidential ballot printing next week – Dr Bossman Asare
5 hours -
Shark attacks surfer, 61, on Hawaiian island of Maui
5 hours -
29 Nigerian children may be sentenced to death for protesting against cost-of-living crisis
5 hours -
Nigerian becomes first black woman to lead major political party in the UK
5 hours -
Perception issues affecting Supreme Court – Nii Armah Addy
6 hours -
Armed men bolt with cash at Adabraka market in dramatic daylight robbery
6 hours