FIFA Ethics Body Disbanded Its Anti-Racism Task Force

FIFA have disbanded its anti-racism task force, declaring the work complete despite ongoing concerns about discriminatory behavior at matches in 2018 World Cup host Russia.

Fifa wrote to members of the task force to say that it has "completely fulfilled its temporary mission" and "is hereby dissolved and no longer in operation."

"I wish I could say that I am shocked by the decision, but unfortunately I am not," task force member Osasu Obayiuwana told The Associated Press on Sunday. "The problem of racism in football remains a burning, very serious and topical one, which need continuous attention.

"I personally think there remained a lot of very serious work for the task force to have done — the 2018 World Cup in Russia being one such matter. But it is evident the Fifa administration takes a different position."

The task force was established in 2013 by then-Fifa President Sepp Blatter and headed by Jeffrey Webb, a vice president of world soccer's governing body until he was arrested in 2015 as part of the American investigation into soccer corruption.

Webb, who pleaded guilty to racketeering charges, was replaced exactly a year ago as task force chairman by Congolese federation president Constant Omari, who also sits on Fifa's ruling council.