Thuram backs FIFA's proposals to stamp out racism

LONDON, Mar 17 (Reuters) The world of soccer has welcomed FIFA's plan to punish acts of racism with severe penalties including the deduction of points and disqualification from competitions.

''You must do everything you can to ban these people from stadiums,'' France and Juventus defender Thuram told L'Equipe newspaper today. ''I strongly believe in education but there are some people who can't be educated any more, it's too late.

''The only answer (to racism) is sanctions and they must be tough to make sure the clubs will feel involved, so they are going to react and take measures to bar these people from stadiums.'' The proposals by world soccer's governing body were agreed in Zurich on Thursday, the first day of a two-day executive committee meeting in which Thuram gave a testimony about racism in football, describing it as a ''plague''.

Confederations and national associations will be compelled to incorporate the measures and infringements could lead to a two-year exclusion from international soccer, said FIFA.

''Financial sanctions have no effect,'' Thuram told the paper.

''Stripping a club of points can be more discouraging.

''If you miss a title of if you are relegated because of the behaviour of your fans, it can be pretty effective.'' MASS RACISM Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) also backed FIFA's move.

''This is a significant development and should mean a harmonisation of the disciplinary sanctions that clubs face,'' director Piara Power told FARE's website.

''We hope FAs will stop fining players and clubs insulting amounts for the worst types of mass racism.'' The Croatian Soccer Association (HNS) also welcomed the proposals.

''HNS fully supports FIFA measures whose goal is to fight racism,'' HNS spokesman Ivan Rotim said.

''Croatian soccer's governing body recently discussed the problem and decided it would impose severe sanctions for any racist behaviour in stadiums.'' Chris Heaton-Harris MEP, a qualified referee who is chairman of the Friends of Football group in the European Parliament, said: ''When racist incidents have occurred in the past, the perpetrators always got off lightly.

''But the authorities have finally taken drastic action to kick out racism. These measures will be welcomed by the millions of genuine football fans who deplore racism on the pitch.'' RUTERS DH PM1837