FIFA agree points deductions in fight against racism

ZURICH, Mar 17 (Reuters) Soccer's world governing body FIFA has agreed to punish acts of racism with severe penalties including the deduction of points and disqualification from competitions.

The proposals, put forward by FIFA president Sepp Blatter, were agreed during the first day of an executive committee meeting in which French international and Juventus player Lilian Thuram gave a testimony about racism in football.

Confederations and national associations will be compelled to incorporate the measures, which could lead to a club being relegated for multiple offences, FIFA said in a statement.

''I have repeatedly stressed FIFA's and my firm personal stance against racism and discrimination, but recent events have demonstrated that there is a need for concerted action and an urgency for more severe measures to be adopted in order to kick this evil out of the beautiful game,'' Blatter said.

REUTERS SK RAI0430