UEFA: Referees Can Now Abandon Matches Due To Racist Behaviour

UEFA have approved new guidelines which will enable match officials to deal with racist chanting or behaviour by abandoning the game altogether.

The issue was a problem in Europe again last season as fines were handed out for racist incidents and complaints were made against clubs during competitions.

Now, UEFA have confirmed that new rules will enable the officials to first stop a match and request over the public address system that the racist behaviour is stopped.

If that does not work then they would then be able to suspend the game for five or ten minutes, whichever they deem necessary.

Finally, UEFA explained that "as a third and final step, if the racist behaviour does not cease after the game has restarted, the referee shall as a last resort, definitively abandon the match".

As well as on the field incidents, it has also been decided that any consequences, such as stadium bans or fines, "will be dealt with by the UEFA disciplinary bodies".

The impact of the new guidelines will not be witnessed until next season but many will hope that they will bring an end to the small fines and punishments handed out in the past by UEFA.

James Walker-Roberts, Goal.com