PFA happy with racism ban proposal

Gordon Taylor insists there needs to be consistency for those found guilty of racist abuse
14 December 2012

The Professional Footballers' Association will not stand in the way of a proposed minimum five-match ban for racist abuse.

The sanction is one of a number of proposals being discussed by the game's ruling bodies, but has yet to be agreed. Chelsea skipper John Terry was given only a four-match ban for racially abusing QPR defender Anton Ferdinand while Liverpool's Luis Suarez received an eight-match suspension for his abuse of Patrice Evra.

PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor said: "It has not gone through yet but we are not opposed to it. We want there to be some consistency and to illustrate the seriousness of our approach to this issue."

The PFA also want all players and managers coming to England from overseas to have "cultural lessons" to make them aware of rules on discrimination under proposals to tackle racism. Until now only apprentices have been given such courses.

Meanwhile, FA independent director Heather Rabbatts insists the game must respond to damning criticism of the handling of the Terry and Suarez cases.

Kick It Out chairman Lord Herman Ouseley has claimed there is "very little morality" at the top clubs and a lack of leadership and "a moral vacuum" in the game.

Rabbatts, appointed as an independent board member earlier this year and a potential candidate to be the next FA chairman, said Ouseley had highlighted key issues.

She said: "The issues that Herman Ouseley is raising are hugely important issues for the whole game and it has to respond to these challenges.

"There are a number of members from different parts of the game being consulted and we all have to rise to the current challenge.

"Despite the huge progress that has been made in tackling discrimination there is a need for renewed energy."

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