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News Brief

May 15, 2006
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Racist and anti-Semitic behavior at this summer’s World Cup in Germany could result in their country’s expulsion from the tournament, a soccer official warned. Sepp Blatter, head of FIFA, the managing body of world soccer, told the Sunday Times of London that racist behavior by the fans, players or management at this summer’s World Cup in Germany could result in a country’s expulsion in the tournament. There have been stories recently on the planned activities at the World Cup by racist soccer hooligans from Eastern Europe known for embracing violence and anti-Semitic slogans and even Hitler as their inspiration. The groups have sworn to engage in fierce battles with rivals at the World Cup to be held in Berlin from June 9 to July 9. To create a positive atmosphere at the event, players will display banners saying “no” to racism and discrimination before each World Cup match. Beginning with the quarter-finals, the captain of each team will swear an anti-racist oath.

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