By Andrew Warshaw
May 16 – English football is cracking down on racism from next season – but not as strongly as UEFA. Players found guilty of racially abusing an opponent will be suspended for a minimum of five matches, half the sentence UEFA says it will impose in its competitions.
The FA say it will also bring in 10-match bans – but only for second offences.
“Football is about inclusivity and we want everyone to be able to play the game in a safe and welcoming environment,” said outgoing FA chairman David Bernstein, who is also a member of FIFA’s newly formed anti-racism taskforce.
The new disciplinary measures were agreed at the FA’s annual general meeting and will kick in next season.
Clubs may also be charged if two or more of their employees are sanctioned for discriminatory abuse in any 12-month period.
Charges will be brought in the event of discrimination on the field of play relating to ethnic origin, colour, race, religion or belief, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, ability and disability.
“We have consulted far and wide and the new sanction and education package has been agreed by all partners involved in the process, including the Professional Footballers’ Association, the League Managers’ Association, Premier League, Football League, referees and [anti-racism group] Kick It Out.”
In addition to being suspended, offenders will also have to undergo mandatory education on anti-discrimination issues.
The FA had been increasingly under pressure to clarify its level of sanctions following the high-profile cases involving Chelsea’s John Terry and Liverpool’s Luis Suarez. Terry was handed a four-match ban and a £220,000 fine for racially abusing Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand in October 2011, while Suarez received an eight-match suspension and £40,000 fine for abusing Manchester United’s Patrice Evra.
Despite Bernstein’s statement, speaking before the new punishments were announced, Lord Ouseley, chairman of Kick It Out, said the FA would “look stupid” if it didn’t match UEFA’s position.
“It will not add any credibility to the FA’s stance that it has zero tolerance on this matter,” he said. ” It’s very important they build credibility and send out a very confident message that will make people feel they can complain and something will be done.”
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