Summary The UN's top human rights official joined football officials and players for end of racism in sport.
GENEVA (AP): The UN s top human rights official joined some football officials and players in calling for an end to racism in sport.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay says racist insults and chants, Nazi salutes, petitions against players and denial of hiring based on color are deplorable and "particularly damaging" in society, because of the importance of athletes and sporting events for young people.
Flanked by AC Milan player Kevin-Prince Boateng and former France captain Patrick Vieira, Pillay said Thursday "there must be accountability for racist offenses" in sports.
Boateng told a U.N. forum in Geneva that he was "angry and offended" when he led teammates off the field to protest being abused by fans of Italian fourth-tier team Pro Patria during a friendly match in January.
