Football: UEFA promises stiff racism punishment

Racism is a problem that affects us massively, says Platini.

PARIS: Uefa President Michel Platini hinted that European football’s governing body would come down hard on Serbia if claims that several England under-21 players were subjected to racist abuse there are proven.

“We’ll collate all the reports, we have the television pictures, the disciplinary committee is already on it,” said Platini on the sidelines of a Euro 2016 organising committee meeting here. “But we have already dished out a yellow card to Serbia [for previous instances of trouble].

“Racism is a problem that affects us massively. We’re fighting it, and that’s what I replied to the British prime minister, who wrote to me.”

Published in The Express Tribune, October 24^th, 2012.