Players guilty of racial abuse will be banned for five games under new FIFA measures overwhelmingly approved by members.Just one delegate from 205 voted against a number of new sanctions designed to combat racism among supporters, players and officials. A mimimum suspension for any individual guilty of racist or discriminatory behaviour is just one of several punishments approved at the governing body’s congress in Mauritius.A first or minor offence from supporters could lead to a fine and the possibility of playing a match behind closed doors.Penalties for repeat or serious offences will include points deductions, expulsion from competitions and even relegation.There have been several high-profile cases of racial abuse in the past year, including the treatment received by England’s Under-21 players in Serbia and Kevin-Prince Boateng’s decision to walk off the pitch during Milan’s friendly match against Pro Patria.FIFA has been criticised in the past for handing out insufficient punishments, and its president Sepp Blatter said: “We have been through a difficult time.“It has been a test for the world of football and for those who lead it. There have been despicable events this year that have cast a long shadow over football and the rest of society.“I am speaking of the politics of hate - racism, ignorance, discrimination, intolerance, small-minded prejudice. That uncivilised, immoral and self-destructive force that we all detest.”Jeffrey Webb, the CONCACAF president and chairman of the Anti-Racism and Discrimination Task Force, said: “Our proposals show our intention to fight against racism in all its forms. We have a special responsibility to rid racism from our sport.”
