FIFA appoints racism task force

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EDINBURGH, Scotland, March 2 (UPI) -- Soccer's international governing body, meeting Saturday in Scotland, appointed Jeffrey Webb to head a task force that will tackle the issue of racism.

Webb, a vice president of FIFA and president of CONCACAF, was named chairman of the FIFA task force that will look into a disturbing rise of racial harassment against players, fans and officials.

"Learning from my personal experience with racism and extended service to promote a society in which all individuals have equal rights will hopefully add strength to remove the discrimination barriers that steer the focus away from the game of football," Webb, who is black, said in a written statement.

Webb told reporters in Scotland the current FIFA practice of levying fines against offenders was not particularly effective and should be shifted to an emphasis on suspensions and expulsions for players who abuse other players during matches.

One of Webb's first moves will be to meet with officials of Britain's high-profile Premier League, the BBC said.