Top > Sport > 2006 > August > 2006-08-04

New UEFA Rules Regarding Racist Behavior

New UEFA disciplinary regulations state that players making racist remarks might face a ban for up to five matches. Players that insults the human dignity of anyone else (a person, a group) will be severely punished. UEFA does not focus on the offending player alone, and any club that supports such behavior will receive a minimum fine of $24,250.

Other sanctions will also take place in case such behavior is encountered. Teams will be forced to play in empty stadium, matches will be awarded by default, and many other penalties. The issue of racist behavior has gone up after World Cup 2006`s final and the whole head-butting incident.

The new rules also focus on the fact that on-field decisions by referees are final, and there will be no re-evaluation. Only in cases of mistaken identity, or such fatal errors, the case will be looked at, and UEFA will take a closer look on the incident. The rules are meant to strengths the position of the referee and prevent conservational incidents.