European football governing body Uefa on Monday announced a range of tougher sanctions for European football, including a five-match ban for racist or insulting conduct and a two-match ban for players who simulate being fouled.
European football’s new disciplinary regulations for the coming season also include ”improper conduct of a team” if a referee disciplines at least five players in a match, Uefa said in a statement on its website.
The stiffer sanctions on discrimination are meant to bring Europe in line with a Fifa clampdown announced earlier this year.
They also follow growing pressure for action following a wave of incidents involving some supporters who hurled racist abuse at black players in rival clubs during the Uefa Cup and Champions League.
Anyone who displays offensive behaviour based on ”colour, race, religion or ethnic origin”, or who ”insults the human dignity of a person or group of persons, by whatever means” can count on a stiffer minimum ban, Uefa said.
Beforehand, a three-match ban was the norm for players or team staff, a spokesperson said.
Clubs or associations will be liable for a $19 000 minimum fine for the racist behaviour of supporters.
Last year, some clubs were fined less than half that amount following the racist behaviour of some of their supporters in European club competitions and forced to play their next match behind closed doors.
The governing body underlined that additional sanctions were also available, including stadium closures, deduction of points or outright disqualification.
”Any form of extremist ideological propaganda is banned before, during and after matches,” it added.
The changes to Uefa’s disciplinary regulations for 2006-2007 also try to clamp down on attempts by players to mislead referees into making an incorrect decision, including ”simulation”.
The laws now spell out a two-match suspension, which can be increased, instead of simply raising the possibility of a ban on top of a yellow card. — AFP
