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MANCHESTER, England -- FIFAs abolition of its anti-racism task force was denounced as a shameful betrayal on Monday as the governing body went on the defensive to reaffirm its commitment to fighting discrimination.The Associated Press revealed Sunday that the anti-racism group was being dismantled after FIFA decided that its mission had been completed after three years.Kick It Out , English soccers anti-discrimination organization, said it was perplexed by FIFAs decision, given the World Cup is being staged in 2018 in Russia which is notorious for racism and abusive activities towards minorities.Jordanian federation president Prince Ali said he found it incredibly worrying that the task force was being scrapped given the very real and apparent discrimination problem that remains in soccer.The fight against racism is far from over and the notion that the current FIFA leadership believes that the `task forces recommendations have been implemented is shameful, said Prince Ali, a former FIFA presidential candidate and FIFA vice president. Now the idea that FIFA believes that its the right time to disband its anti-racism task force is ridiculous.Prince Ali believes the task force should have been empowered to work further with soccer authorities and governments to use the sport to tackle discrimination in wider society.There is still so much work to do, and FIFA must show leadership, take responsibility for reform and be accountable if change isnt put into practice, Prince Ali said.Transparency, trust, credibility and integrity are the values that should run through everything FIFA does. Not tackling the plague of racism and discrimination properly is an absolute betrayal of those values.The task force was established in 2013 by then-FIFA President Sepp Blatter and headed by Jeffrey Webb, a vice president of world soccers governing body until he was arrested in 2015 as part of the American investigation into soccer corruption.Webb, who pleaded guilty to racketeering charges, was replaced in September 2015 as task force chairman by Congolese federation president Constant Omari.The reality, as with many programs within FIFA, is that the task force was never given real support since its conception and its role was more about FIFAs image than actually tackling the issues, Prince Ali said.FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura fended off the criticism, insisting her organization remains committed to combatting discrimination in the worlds most popular sport.The task force had a very specific mandate that to our knowledge it has fully fulfilled, Samoura said at the SoccerEx convention. Its recommendations have now been turned into a program and a strong one.Samoura was appointed in May as the organizations first female and first African top administrator of world soccers governing body as part of the overhaul under Gianni Infantino. The Senegalese former United Nations official said her presence here is a strong testimony that for FIFA, it is a zero tolerance policy on discrimination and it is an inclusive organization.Responding to criticism of the task force being shut down, Samoura said, We can live with perceptions, but we are taking very seriously our role as the world governing body of football to fight discrimination.Kick It Out urged FIFA to publish a clear and concise strategy on its fight against discrimination and promotion of equality. It was one of three organizations in the running for FIFAs new diversity award , which was won by Indian organization Slum Soccer at a ceremony in Manchester dominated by questions to Samoura about the anti-racism task force.Although racism is no longer rampant in English soccer, 402 incidents of discrimination were recorded by Kick It Out last season -- up more than 40 percent from two years earlier, although reporting mechanisms have been enhanced.There is clear evidence that discrimination, prejudice and hate are on the rise in developed societies, particularly in Europe but also in different forms across the world, Kick It Out said in a statement. Football should seek to lead the way in combating such intrusions.It is clear that organizations that are actively campaigning against racism and discrimination will be deeply disheartened to hear news of the disbandment, as they look to FIFA for leadership in a game which is so popular across the world.The pressing problems for FIFA are in Russia with less than nine months until the country stages the Confederations Cup, the warm-up event for the 2018 World Cup.Earlier this month, European soccers governing body, UEFA, ordered Russian club Rostov to close a section of a stadium for a Champions League game as punishment for the racist behavior of fans.The most recent research from the Moscow-based SOVA Center and the UEFA-affiliated FARE Network reported a surge in the number of racist displays by Russian soccer fans, with most cases going unpunished. Researchers logged 92 incidents of discriminatory displays and chants by Russian fans in and around stadiums in the 2014-15 season, compared to a total of 83 for the previous two seasons combined.---Rob Harris can be followed at www.twitter.com/RobHarris and www.facebook.com/RobHarrisReports Jerseys From China Cheap . William Carrier opened the scoring for Cape Breton (6-4-2), but Andrew Ryan tied the game and Brent Andrews put the Mooseheads (8-6-0) in front for good with a short-handed goal at 13:49 of the second period. Wholesale China Jerseys . The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the Lions have not announced the hiring, which was first reported by ESPN. Lombardi, the grandson of former Green Bay Hall of Fame coach Vince Lombardi, has been an offensive assistant on Sean Paytons New Orleans staff since 2007. http://www.cheapjerseysnflwholesale.org/ . Varlamov made 33 saves and Ryan OReilly had a goal and scored in the shootout as the Avalanche beat the New Jersey Devils 2-1 on Thursday night. Cheap Jerseys USA . Haas said he "felt a lot of pain" in his right shoulder when he slammed his racket to the ground in frustration after losing his serve at 3-3 in the first set. Cheap Jerseys . The Lightning are 2-0 so far on a four-game road trip, giving the club five straight wins as the guest and improving Tampas away record this season to 11-8-2.Thierry Henry and Jamie Redknapp discuss the Premier League relegation battle and predict a fight to the finish for Norwich, Newcastle and Sunderland. The two sides from the north east drew their respective games this weekend, with the Magpies coming from behind to draw 2-2 with Liverpool and the Black Cats holding Arsenal to a stalemate on Super Sunday.Norwich were not in action this weekend but did drop into the bottom three after Sunderlands result, both sides holding a game in hand over Newcastle. The current positions and run-in for the bottom three of the Premier League With just one point separating the three clubs, the Sky Sports pundits were unable to choose between the sides with Redknapp calling the relegation fight a lottery.Its very difficult. I think if youd said to Alex Neil at the start of the weekend that neither Newcastle nor Sunderland would win, I think hed have taken that, Redknapp said on Super Sunday. Jack Colback earned Newcastle a 2-2 draw at Liverpool Hell be looking at those fixtures and thinking, Watford at home, Everton away - if we can go and get four points, maybe weve got a good chance.Its not been too bad a weekend for Norwich. Theyve got Arsenal next - its not an easy game but if they defend well, you never know. Its a lottery, its a toss of the coin, it really is. Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce thought his side did enough in the second half to win their game against Arsenal but is happy witth a vital point following Crystal Palace now have an FA Cup final to look forward to.dddddddddddd Newcastle are also playing against an Aston Villa side that are down and have given up.Theyll also be hoping Tottenham have nothing to play for - it could be a bit after-the-Lord-Mayors-Show, that game. Newcastle have it all to do but Ive been down in that position - you try to predict results and the one you expect to win, you dont. Could Crystal Palaces FA Cup date give Newcastle an advantage? Henry identified the recent run of Sunderland and Newcastle as crucial for their survival, and also pointed to what he sees as a big advantage for Sam Allardyces men.Its a tough one. The only thing Id say is that momentum is with Sunderland and Newcastle with their results, the former Arsenal striker added. Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez was delighted with his team after they came from two goals behind to draw 2-2 with Liverpool You could say that Crystal Palace and Aston Villa are easier games for Newcastle - theyve less to play for than some of the other opponents.But you have to mention the goal difference of Sunderland - its minus 18 compared to the other two (seven better than Norwich, eight better than Newcastle). That could be massive.Who will stay up? Leave a comment if youre reading on skysports.com or Tweet us @SkyFootball... Also See: Sunderland out of bottom three Newcastle rally for point Defoe: I was born to score Newcastle fight delights Rafa ' ' '