Foto: Keystone, Alessandro Della Bella / APFIFA president Sepp Blatter has suggested that relegation would be a suitable punishment for teams whose supporters are guilty of racism.
"It is now up to us to take the adequate steps," Blatter said in an interview with FIFA's website (www.fifa.com).
"What I feel we should do is give instructions to our national associations and the confederations - specifically to the disciplinary committees - to be very strong.
"It is not enough to give a fine. Playing a game without spectators is one of the possible sanctions, but the best would be the deduction of points and the relegation of a team, because finally the club is responsible for their spectators."
FIFA recently ordered both Bulgaria and Hungary to play their next home World Cup qualifiers behind closed doors because of racist and anti-Semitic behaviour by their fans respectively.
It warned that it could impose tougher sanctions, including a points deduction and disqualification, in case of a repeat.
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Racism in soccer stadiums throughout the years is an issue that unfortunately continues to this day. The latest incident was Milan's Kevin Prince Boateng who suffered racial abuse during a friendly and walked off the pitch.The following are some of the examples of racial abuse in the world's most popular sport.
Photo: Especial
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On January 3rd, during a friendly between Milan and lower division Pro Patria of Italy, some fans started to make monkey sounds.Kevin Prince Boateng threw the ball to the stands and walked off the pitch along with all his teammates.
Photo: AP
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UEFA has an open investigation against Italy's Lazio after its fans screamed 'Juden Tottenham' (Jewish Tottenham in German) in a clear reference to Tottenham ties with the Jewish community.
Photo: Getty Images
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During the quarterfinals of 2010 Mexican league, Santos defender Felipe Baloy accused Pumas players Marco Antonio Palacios and Darío Verón of calling slave of s**t and monkey. Both players were fined.
Photo: Mexsport
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Switzerland player Michel Morganella was expelled from the London Olympic Games after posting a racist comment on Twitter about the South Korea team.
Photo: AP
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Liverpool striker Luis Suárez refused to shake hands with Man United defender Patrice Evra before the game between both teams. Evra had accuse Suárez of racial abuse and the Uruguayan was suspended for 7 matches. After noticing of Suárez action, Rio Ferdinand refused to shake his hand.
Photo: AFP
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Patrick Vieira was insulted by Valencia fans when he was playing for Arsenal in 2003 during a UEFA CHampions League game.
Photo: AP
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During Copa LIbertadores, Argentina's Quilmes player Leandro Desábato was retained for insulting Sao Paulo player Grafite.
Photo: AP
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Espanyol goalkeeper Carlos Kameni was a victim of racial insults by Zaragoza fans in 2004.
Photo: AP
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Former Italian player Paolo Di Canio has been a self-proclaimed fascista and has been photographed and videotaped several times giving the controversial Roman salute to Lazio supporters while playing for Lazio. He is a self declared Mussolini fan.
However, Di Canio insists he is not a racist and has supported anti-racism campaigns.
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Mexico's Dorados fans made monkey sounds to Brazil's Kleber when he was playing for America.
Photo: Mexsport
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Samuel Eto'o tried to abandon a game against Zaragoza after he received racist insults while playing for Barcelona.
Photo: AP
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During a friendly match between Spain and England, defender Ashley Cole was subject of racial insults by the Spanish fans.
Photo: AP
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Former Spain coach Luis Aragonés during a game against France told player José Antonio Reyes to show that ´black of s**t' he was better, referring to Thierry Henry. The Spanish Federation was fined and Aragonés said later he was not a racist. Brazilian player Marcos Senna who played for Spain and is black also defended Aragonés.
Photo: AP
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Atletico Madrid fans called Real Madrid defender Marcelo "monkey".
Photo: AFP
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John Terry was accused of racial insults against Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand during a Premier League matchin 2011. The FA banned Terry for 4 matches.
Photo: AFP
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Roberto Carlos was also a victim of racial abuse while playing for Russia's Anzhi. A banana peel was thrown to the pitch during a match against Krylya Sovetov. Before, a Zenit fan offered him a banana before a match between both teams.
Photo: Especial
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Colombian Fredy Rincón was a victim of racial insults by radical Real Madrid fans after joining the team.
Photo: Tomada de internet
