FIFA president Sepp Blatter talks tough on racist incidents
Thursday 5 March 2015 14:31, UK
FIFA president Sepp Blatter believes football should 'have the courage' to relegate sides over incidents of racism.
Despite the continuing efforts of anti-racism group Kick It Out, the English game has been plagued by a spate of problems involving racism of late - primarily involving people thought to be fans chanting on public transport - and Blatter insists firmer sanctions is the solution.
Ballter said: "The biggest problem we've had in recent days here in this continent is racism, discrimination. It does not respect the human beings through these demonstrations which are discriminatory.
"And one day we should be an example. Being an example doesn't mean just shutting down a stadium or issuing a fine, a financial penalty, no. It means deducting points, relegating a team. The moment we have the courage to do that, discrimination will stop."
The 78-year-old also addressed the possibility of introducing an extra substitution in football matches but would not be drawn into promoting the idea.
Blatter said: "As far as the question about the a fourth substitution; the International Football Association Board, which met last week in Belfast, this question - which was proposed by the CONMEBOL (South American Football Confederation) and some national federations - was talked about.
"There are eight votes in this union; four British and four from FIFA. There was no need to vote because it wasn't discussed and it is not opportune at the moment to get into the issue."
