Football great Clarence Seedorf urges yellow cards to curb racial abuse

Players should get yellow cards for covering their mouths to speak to opponents, football great Clarence Seedorf told European lawmakers on Wednesday in a forum on hate speech in sport.

Seedorf spoke to the 47-nation Council of Europe on the day UEFA was preparing a verdict in the disciplinary case of a Slavia Prague player alleged to have racially insulted a Black opponent from Rangers last month.

Ondrej Kúdela covered his mouth with both hands when he spoke into Glen Kamara's ear during a stoppage in play in a Europa League game.

Kúdela denied Kamara's allegation that he used racist language that another Rangers player also claimed to have heard. UEFA also investigated Kamara over the Czech club's claims he attacked Kúdela after the game, which Slavia won 2-0.

Seedorf, who is Black, referred lawmakers to “some racist situations” and hate speech among players in recent weeks.

“We are talking about sport, it has to be transparent — so why would I cover my mouth if I need to say something to my adversary?” the former Netherlands midfielder said.

Seedorf suggested it could be “very easily attacked by implementing some rules” such as showing a yellow card for speaking to a referee or opponent with mouth covered. UEFA can suggest such changes to the FIFA-backed rules-making panel known as IFAB.

Football bodies UEFA and FIFA have closed previous disciplinary cases when players alleged racial abuse by an opponent by citing lack of evidence to support their claims. Violators face “a suspension lasting at least 10 matches or a specified period of time, or any other appropriate sanction,” under UEFA's disciplinary code.

Seedorf said there was too much talk and not enough action to combat hate speech in soccer stadiums and on the field.

“I cannot be happy to see certain things to change so slowly because the need is obvious and very urgent,” said the former Ajax, Real Madrid and AC Milan player. Seedorf is the only player to be European champion with three different clubs.

Citing the killing of George Floyd in the United States last year, Seedorf said football and public authorities should give fans incentives to record incidents of racism and hate speech by “capturing those moments” and sending the footage as evidence.

“If it wasn't for the people around George Floyd, today we would not be speaking and we would not have had a movement around all that happened and we would not have that police officer now going to trial,” Seedorf said.

Seedorf spoke after UEFA official Michele Uva told the forum that the European soccer body wanted to lead by example and work together with public authorities tackling discrimination.

Seedorf later called for more diversity within soccer, citing too few Black coaches at clubs and not enough inclusion within institutions like UEFA and FIFA.

“That is where we need to start as well, where we lead by example,” he said.

“From there you have I think a much better position also to ask other people to change.”

The 90-minute event was hosted from Strasbourg, France, by the European body which promotes human rights and the rule of law in Europe.