FIFA Guardians program to provide a safe and fun environment for children in football. (Image via FIFA)

FIFA Launches Global Safeguarding Network to Protect Children from Abuse

FIFA takes on its responsibility to protect children who play football form abuse by launching a new dedicated program and toolkit called FIFA Guardians. This new initiative has been launched on Wednesday (7/10).

The development and implementation of the program aim to improve a safe environment for millions of children around the world involved in football so that they can enjoy the right of a culture of respect and understanding.

FIFA’s effort to enhance safeguarding standards comes after a series of abuse scandals, including a recent scandal involving a senior member of Afghanistan Football Federation Keramuudin Karim. After found guilty for sexually abusing an Afghani woman footballer, Karim was given a life ban and fined US$1 million by FIFA last month. Since 2016, British football has also been rocked by a slew of unveiling sexual abuse cases.

The online toolkit is containing practical guidance and support materials based on ‘five principles and five steps’ which put together through consultation with the child safeguarding experts such as UNICEF, the Council of Europe, and campaigners who themselves had experienced abuse during their participation in sport as children.

It will be rolled out in the coming months through a series of training modules and workshop across all confederations, and will gradually be expended to protect vulnerable adults.

On the launching day of FIFA Guardians, FIFA's general secretary Fatma Samoura said that the world football governing body has a responsibility to ensure everyone can play football in a safe, positive, and enjoyable environment, and it is a duty for them to realize those things.

As FIFA believes it is also the right of every child, she added.

Source: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/sport/fifa-launches-global-safeguarding-network-11709332