News in 2006

15th March 2006

'Red Card Racism' Plea

Euro MPs want Europe's football bosses do more to tackle racism in the game.

The Parliament has called on UEFA to impose tougher sanctions for racist abuse on and off the pitch.

Some of the worse offending clubs may even find themselves kicked out of competitions.

A declaration signed by a record number of Euro MPs said that "football players, like other workers, have the right to a racist-free working environment".

It calls on UEFA and other competition organisers in Europe to ensure referees have the option to stop and even abandon matches in the event of serious racist abuse.

The resolution follows a series of racist-related incidents in the game over the last several months.

Last month, Barcelona's Samuel Eto'o threatened to walk off the pitch after he was racially abused by Real Zaragoza fans.

The club was fined just £6,000, an amount FIFA president Sepp Blatter described as "ridiculous".

It is not the first time Spain has found itself in the headlines for racism problems in its football grounds.

Luis Aragones, the coach of the national team, was fined £2,000 after he was caught on camera making racist comments about Arsenal's Thierry Henry.

England's Ashley Cole and Shaun Wright-Phillips were abused during a friendly against Spain at Real Madrid's Bernabeu stadium in November 2004.

Source: Sky News