FOOTBALL'S EUROPEAN body has announced new plans to give players and officials a 10-match ban if found guilty of racist behaviour.
General secretary of Uefa Gianni Infantino said: "It's still a scourge on the game. We have to have sanctions.
"What we are proposing is that if a player or official is found guilty then they will be suspended for 10 matches."
Racism in football has been a reoccurring theme in the headlines, particularly following AC Milan players left the field of play after midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng received abuse in a friendly match in Italy.
Infantino proposed at the Soccerex event in Manchester that clubs may be forced to play in an empty stadium if fans racially abuse players.
"If supporters are found guilty then there will be a partial closure of the stadium,” Infantino added.
"This means the section where offence took place will be closed. If there is a second offence by the club's supporters there will be full closure with a minimum 50,000 euros (£42,700) fine."
Uefa’s executive committee will vote on the proposal in London in May and, if passed, the ruling could apply to all Uefa competitions from as early as July.