Fifa has voted in tough new powers to combat racism in football, with teams facing expulsion from competitions for serious racist incidents. The new powers were voted in by the Fifa congress in Mauritius. The vote passed with 99% approval.

The new powers will mean that repeat offenders, or perhaps particularly serious one off incidents, will lead to points deductions, expulsion from the competition or even relegation. First time offenders, or more minor offences, will receive warnings, fines or possibly orders for games to be played behind closed doors. Individuals engaged in racist behaviour will face a five game ban from the stadium.

Other measures will include an individual inside stadiums who is tasked with identifying racist offences, which will relieve the referee of the duty of identifying such behaviour while officiating.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter said Fifa, “need zero tolerance and strict punishments everywhere. We must lead. We must set a tough, uncompromising example.” Blatter also told of his belief that new measures “send a strong signal to the racists that their time is up”.

Blatter stressed that the fight against racism wasn’t to be isolated within Fifa, and must be undertaken by associations around the world.

"While we, in this hall, can all agree that racism must be stopped, more must be done outside, back in our respective home nations,” he said.

"We need zero tolerance and strict punishments everywhere. We must lead. We must set a tough, uncompromising example.
"Football can show the way. We can make a difference. With our newly-formed task force…we can send a strong signal to the racists that their time is up.

"But we need the help of all. We cannot win this battle alone."