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UEFA reiterated its zero-tolerance policy on racism at a meeting in Sofia yesterday, encouraging referees to halt matches if need be and encouraging teams to denounce racism among fellow players and fans. |
UEFA’s executive committee said it “recommends and fully supports referees to stop matches in cases of racism and calls on national associations and leagues to do the same,” in a resolution drawn up by the Professional Football Strategy Council (PFSC) and ratified yesterday.
European football’s governing body also called “on the players and coaches—namely those with most influence on the perpetrators of racist acts—to speak out, even if this may mean criticising their own fans or players.”
UEFA urged national leagues and disciplinary bodies to apply “stricter sanctions in cases of proven racism” to prevent recurrent offences and called on authorities “to play their part” and “arrest, prosecute and ban from stadia for significant periods those responsible for racist acts.”