FIFA threatens soccer clubs over racism
(AP)
Updated: 2005-12-22 09:23

ZURICH, Switzerland - Soccer clubs that fail to control racist fans were threatened by FIFA president Sepp Blatter with relegation, suspension and expulsion.

Blatter said legal experts at world soccer's governing body would decide in January what measures are needed to strengthen FIFA's anti-racism laws. National soccer federations will then vote on the proposed regulations at FIFA's annual congress next year.

"We need to start to deduct points from the team," Blatter said Tuesday. "It could also mean suspension. It could also mean exclusion."

Racial taunting and other incidents have occurred at venues across Europe, and Blatter has spoken repeatedly of toughening FIFA's anti-racism code.

Last week, he spoke out against Lazio forward Paolo Di Canio for making a fascist salute in a match. He said Di Canio could be expelled from soccer for the gesture.

The former West Ham striker has defended his actions, even repeating the salute after being fined for it earlier this season.

On Monday, Di Canio was given a one-match ban and a fine by the Italian Soccer League's disciplinary commission.

Blatter said the current anti-racism regulations, which advise federations to take measures ranging from fines against players to stadium bans for racist fans, are insufficient.

Teams that fail to control their players or fans also might be forced to play matches in empty stadiums. But Blatter said new, more severe punishments are needed.

"A financial sanction is not an adequate measure," he said. "You can always find someone with enough money to pay the fine."

He said each infraction of FIFA's anti-racism rules should be judged on the merits of the individual case. He refused to outline any minimum or automatic punishments.

Earlier this month, Hungary's soccer federation fined Ujpest FC $23,250 because its fans chanted anti-Semitic slurs during a league match. The federation also suspended the referee for failing to take action.

Last month, Messina's Ivory Coast defender Marc Zoro was reduced to tears by Inter Milan fans' racist slurs and boos in the Italian league and threatened to walk off the field. Some Inter Milan supporters shouted racist abuse again in the next match.