Fifa dismiss Rhian Brewster's claims of racist abuse during U17 World Cup final

The FA lodged a complaint after Brewster said he had overheard a Spain player call his team-mate Morgan Gibbs-White a 'monkey'

Thursday 19 April 2018 06:52 EDT
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Fifa found there was not sufficient evidence for a charge
Fifa found there was not sufficient evidence for a charge (Reuters)

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A complaint of racist abuse against an England player during last summer's Under-17 World Cup final has been dismissed by Fifa.

The FA lodged a complaint after Rhian Brewster told The Guardian he had overheard a Spain player call his team-mate Morgan Gibbs-White a "monkey" during the showpiece game in India, which England won.

However, FIFA's disciplinary committee has decided there is insufficient evidence to sanction the Spanish player.

A statement released on Thursday read: "Following a thorough investigation, the disciplinary committee has decided to dismiss all charges in view of the lack of sufficient evidence that could corroborate the English player's claim.

"Despite the absence of a sanction, which can only be imposed on the basis of clear evidence, the disciplinary committee would like to restate FIFA's unequivocal, zero-tolerance stance against all forms of discrimination, as enshrined in the FIFA statutes."

Speaking in December 2017 about the Gibbs-White incident, Brewster said: "Something happened in the box. As Morgan was running away, he (a Spain player) called him a monkey. It was a goal-kick and I was getting into position.

"'Morgan,' I said, 'did you hear that?' He said: 'Yeah, yeah, I thought I was the only one."'

Last month, European football's governing body UEFA dismissed an allegation that Brewster was racially abused by Spartak Moscow player Leonid Mironov during a UEFA Youth League tie in December 2017.

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