FIFA to propose tougher sanctions for racist abuse

Zurich: FIFA aims to approve tougher sanctions for racist abuse at football matches when its 209 member nations meet in May.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter led a meeting Friday of its Strategic Committee, which included UEFA President Michel Platini and discussed combating racism and match-fixing.

Blatter has previously said that points deductions and relegation punishments are needed as disciplinary options to help tackle discrimination at matches.

The governing body aims to approve tougher sanctions for racist abuse at football matches when its 209 member nations meet in May.

When FIFA judged abuse cases against Hungary and Bulgaria last month, both countries were ordered to play their next home World Cup qualifier in an empty stadium and pay fines.

"I am very pleased with the ideas that have evolved today and look forward to the deliberations with the Executive Committee," Blatter said in a statement. He will lead that FIFA board meeting on March 20-21.

"The aim is to present to the FIFA Congress in Mauritius [on May 31] concrete actions, as well as strong sanctions, which will really have an impact."

UEFA signaled its dissatisfaction with the current level of disciplinary sanctions by asking its appeal panel to consider tougher punishments for Serbia after a volatile under-21 match against England in October.

That case was being heard Friday as the FIFA committee - which also includes European Club Association chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, five-time Women's World Player of the Year Marta and Spain coach Vicente del Bosque - met in Zurich.

This year, black players targeted for abuse by fans in widely reported incidents include AC Milan midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng at a friendly against a fourth-tier Italian club, and United States forward Jozy Altidore while playing for AZ Alkmaar in a Dutch Cup match.

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