FIFA dismisses Brewster racism complaint from U-17 World Cup final

FIFA has dismissed a claim made by Rhian Brewster that team-mate Morgan Gibbs-White was racially abused by a Spanish player during the Under-17 World Cup final.

Brewster claimed in an interview with The Guardian in December that Wolves youngster Gibbs-White was subjected to a discriminatory comment by an opponent in England’s 5-2 win in Kolkata.

An investigation was opened in January but FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee has dismissed all charges, citing “a 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,” it added in a statement.

In March, UEFA dropped charges against Spartak Moscow after Brewster alleged he was racially abused during Liverpool’s Youth League clash in Russia, again citing a lack of evidence.

Meanwhile, FIFA has fined Benfica, Sporting CP, Rayo Vallecano and Qatar’s Al Arabi for breaching rules relating to third-party influence.

Celta Vigo were also punished for entering into an agreement with Benfica that enabled the Portuguese club “to influence [Celta’s] independence”. Further charges against Benfica were dropped.