Anti-racism campaigners have welcomed new FIFA regulations which will see clubs deducted points or even relegated if their fans are guilty of racist abuse.

FIFA’s executive committee have approved the new penalties which range from match suspensions to deductions of points; three for a first offence, six for a second and relegation if there are further offences.

Piara Powar, director of the Kick It Out campaign, said: "It is important that they are sporting sanctions rather than fines, which clubs have the means to pay.

"We welcome the positive regulations as there have been too many football associations in Europe who have been fudging the issue. We believe there will be an instant impact."

The English Football Association will receive confirmation of the measures in the next week via a circular letter.

The problem in Spain were highlighted once again at a recent Primera Liga game in Spain when Barcelona striker Samuel Eto’o was the subject of heavy abuse at Real Zaragoza.

The Cameroon international had to be persuaded by the referee and team-mates not to walk off the pitch.

In Italy, former West Ham player Paolo Di Canio has been punished for a raised-arm salute while playing for Lazio.

In a separate incident, Messina’s Ivory Coast international Marco Zoro left the field with the ball after being reduced to tears because of racist chanting, only for Inter Milan players to persuade him back.

"The new regulations will not bring an end to racism - that will come from education and changing hearts and minds - but it is a step in the right direction," Powar added.

"There have been paltry sanctions recently for clubs and individuals guilty of racial abuse, for example with Di Canio’s salute, which he said was a Roman salute but we see as a Nazi salute.

"It puts an end to meaningless fines, national FAs will have to implement these basic measures for all transgressions."

Agencies