Blatter says FIFA will severely punish racists

BERLIN, June 28 (Reuters) Countries that fail to stamp out racism at soccer matches could be suspended by world soccer's governing body, FIFA President Sepp Blatter said today.

Tougher sanctions against racism, including the docking of points, were adopted at FIFA's annual Congress before the World Cup started and Blatter confirmed that FIFA would not shy away from applying the ultimate sanction if the case warranted it.

''By a change of the statutes, FIFA has not only the power but the obligation,'' said Blatter during a news conference.

''If they are not doing what is expected then FIFA must intervene,'' he added.

FIFA changed its statutes to introduce tougher regulations earlier this month to battle racism amid coaches, players and officials as well as spectators.

Racist behaviour has been a recurring problem in some leagues including Spain, and also in former communist eastern European countries.

There have also been outbreaks in Italy as well as increasing incidents at international matches played in Europe during the past two years.

As fines were often of little consequence, especially for more affluent clubs, a tougher stance should be taken, down to the suspension of country's national soccer bodies, Blatter said.

''You will always find someone who pays the money, but ..

respect is something you cannot value in money,'' he said.

''Suspension is the last one in the row, but it is foreseen, and if the Disciplinary Committee decides it then that association would be suspended.'' ANTI-RACISM DAYS FIFA has declared the two quarter-final match days on June 30 and July 1 anti-discrimination days. Stadium announcers and the captains of national teams will read out anti-discrimination speeches ahead of the games.

So far, the World Cup had seen little in the way of racist behaviour or violence, said officials at the conference.

Germany's Interior Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble said he was glad that a feared hijacking of the World Cup by the country's far-right parties had failed to materialise.

''We had problems with racism in Germany in the past and we will continue to have them,'' said Schaeuble.

But in general the enthusiasm and euphoria by fans from Germany and all around the globe had crushed intentions by extremists to use the tournament as a platform.

''The climate in our big cities really has changed,'' he said.

''I know that the world will continue to turn after July 9, but I think a little bit of that spirit will stay here.'' Tokyo Sexwale, who spent 15 years as a prisoner on Robben Island in South Africa and is now part of South Africa's 2010 World Cup organising committee, made a passionate appeal for racism to be swept out of football.

''The flames of racism, ignited by a minority at soccer matches cannot and must not be allowed to divide the family of football.'' REUTERS DH RAI2034