18 November 2004

Claude Moraes MEP and President of the European Parliament's Anti-Racism Intergroup has today criticised UEFA and FIFA for allowing racism in football to continue. Disgusted at the abuse aimed at England's black players in last night's match against Spain, he called for higher financial sanctions to be imposed on clubs and national football associations refusing to commit to stamping racism out of football.

Claude Moraes MEP, Labour MEP for London said,

"Much tougher sanctions are clearly needed to stamp out racism in European football. The current system of fines is derisory and does not take seriously enough the disgraceful behaviour of a minority of football fans." He added,

"Teams ought to be suspended from international competitions in these circumstances and new rules should be enforced to allow referees to end matches as soon as abuse starts. This will end the enjoyment of the match for thousands of fans creating peer pressure against racist minorities."

"Racism can be stamped out. Major spectator sports like American football are racism-free and that simply cannot be said for European football."

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