UEFA approves 10-game racism ban, blood tests
24 May 2013 12:14 AM GMT
European football governing body UEFA on Thursday formally ratified plans to impose 10-game European suspensions on players and officials found guilty of racism.
Racist behaviour by supporters will initially be punished with a partial stadium closure, with a full stadium closure for a second offence.
The new measures were approved at the organisation’s executive committee meeting in London, but UEFA general secretary Gianni Infantino said individual member associations could still opt to introduce their own anti-racism sanctions, after England’s Football Association announced plans for minimum five-game bans.
‘An association should adopt the same or similar measures. UEFA has always acted in a way to try to convince people rather than impose,’ he said.
‘I don’t think you measure the way of fighting against racism in one simple measure and sanction.
‘The way I read the FA’s decision is that it could be five matches and it could also be 15. The FA are sure their way of regulating is more correct for England.’
Racist behaviour by supporters will initially be punished with a partial stadium closure, with a full stadium closure for a second offence.
The new measures were approved at the organisation’s executive committee meeting in London, but UEFA general secretary Gianni Infantino said individual member associations could still opt to introduce their own anti-racism sanctions, after England’s Football Association announced plans for minimum five-game bans.
‘An association should adopt the same or similar measures. UEFA has always acted in a way to try to convince people rather than impose,’ he said.
‘I don’t think you measure the way of fighting against racism in one simple measure and sanction.
‘The way I read the FA’s decision is that it could be five matches and it could also be 15. The FA are sure their way of regulating is more correct for England.’
Next Story
