UEFA backs referees stopping matches for racism
AC Milan's German-born Ghanaian international Kevin-Prince Boateng (L) listens to FIFA President Sepp Blatter after a meeting at the Home of FIFA on March 22, 2013 in Zurich. In a January friendly against Pro Patria, Boateng and two other black teammates suffered racist abuse from a small group of fans of the side from Busto Arsizio outside Milan. Boateng took offence and walked off the pitch, followed by his entire team. Blatter has raised concerns about players taking matters into their own hands but has since said clubs whose fans are guilty of racial abuse could be either docked points or relegated. Photo/AFP
Sofia
UEFA reiterated its zero-tolerance policy on racism at a meeting in Sofia Thursday, 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 Thursday.
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."
The document was jointly adopted with the European Clubs Association (ECA) and the world players' union FIFPro.
In January, AC Milan's Ghana international Kevin-Prince Boateng caused a sensation when he walked off the pitch during a friendly match against Italian fourth division side Pro Patria after being showered with racist abuse by opposing fans.
Several football officials, coaches and players spoke out against racism at games but some criticised Boateng's move, saying that walking out was not a solution.
"Many countries have taken significant and successful action but... such incidents are still widespread in our continent," UEFA said Thursday.
It 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."
UEFA also called in Sofia for greater help from national authorities to fight match-fixing, including setting up prosecution teams dedicated only to sports fraud.
"Sports bodies do not have the means or the legal jurisdictions to tackle by themselves a problem, which often involves criminal organisations," it said.
"'Sports fraud' should therefore be recognised as a specific criminal offence in national legislations throughout Europe, as this would help to ensure a consistent, effective and coordinated means to deter match-fixing."
Tackling the problem was "an absolute priority," it said, presenting a six-point action plan that includes whistle-blowing procedures, clear bans on betting for players, coaches and referees and continued monitoring of competitions to detect fraud.
