Racist players will get 10-match bans

Footballers found guilty of racism will be banned for at least 10 matches, under plans announced by UEFA today.

The European game’s governing body also revealed there would be partial closure of stadiums for a first incident of racist abuse by fans and a full closure for a second offence.

UEFA have been criticised for not doing enough to tackle the issue but their general secretary Gianni Infantino (above) told the Soccerex forum in Manchester of the crackdown, which will apply to all matches in European competition from next season.

The Football Association, along with all the other national associations across the continent, will be asked to adopt the same punishments for incidents in domestic games.

“We have to have sanctions and they must have a deterrent effect and what we are proposing is if a player or official is convicted of racism they should receive a 10-match suspension at least,” said Infantino.

“If supporters are found guilty of racist abuse then the first sanction will be a partial closure of the part of the stadium from which the racist abuse took place. For a second offence there will be the full closure and a minimum fine of 50,000 (£42,700).