LILIAN THURAM has called on Fifa to do more to help combat racism.
The 1998 World Cup-winner has spent his post-playing career fighting for social and racial equality.
Thuram join the long list of critics of Fifa‘s decision to disband their anti-racism task force.
Speaking to The Independent, he said: “When Fifa dissolved the group it sent out a completely negative message to society.
“And although Fifa continues to advertise against racism — and although Fifa has the power and strength to reach millions of people — they have to push a stronger message denouncing racism.”
Thuram added that one of the main problems is that not enough people understand what racism actually is.
He added: “It is deeply embedded in European society.
“Racism is an intellectual construction, so we unlearn and learn — we unlearn and teach.”
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Thuram moved to Europe in 1991 and spent five years at Monaco before moving to Serie A, which was then considered the best league in the world.
He was the victim of abuse when he moved to Italy — and claims not much has changed.
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He said: “I arrived in 1996 and left ten years later and saw many demonstrations of racism.
“And I saw and heard people making monkey noises whenever I touched the ball.
“What is unbelievable is that, 21-years on from that time, I still see and hear racism.”
Thuram spent five seasons with Parma, winning a Coppa Italia, Italian Super Cup and Uefa Cup before moving to Juventus and winning two league titles.
He left for Barcelona in 2006, where he stayed until retiring two years later.
Thuram starred for the French side which won the World Cup on home soil, scoring his only international goals in the victorious semi-final against Croatia, and also won Euro 20000.
The former right-back is now a goodwill ambassador for Unicef.
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