HALT THE MATCH TO STOP RACISM

FIFA boss Gianni Infantino last night called for games to be abandoned if players are subjected to racial abuse.

The head of world football urged officials to use the powers at their disposal to beat the bigots after England’s Raheem Sterling and Danny Rose spoke out about the abuse they are suffering.

The FIFA president said associations around the world must adopt a zerotolerance policy.

Infantino (above) said: “In recent days, it has been very sad to see a number of racist incidents in football. This is really not acceptable. Racism has no place in football, just as it has no place in society.

“FIFA stands together with Prince Gouano, Kalidou Koulibaly, Raheem Sterling and Danny Rose, as well as any other player, coach, fan or participant in a football match who has suffered from racism, whether at the highest professional level or in a school playground.

“Racism needs to end. Full stop.

“We introduced the so-called ‘three-step procedure’ at our tournaments: a mechanism that allows referees to go as far as to abandon a match in case of discriminatory incidents.

“FIFA urges all member associations, leagues, clubs and disciplinary bodies to adopt the same procedure, as well as a zero-tolerance approach to incidents of racism in football, and to apply harsh sanctions for any such kind of behaviour.

“We will continue to be at the forefront of the fight against racism and we guarantee to all our member associations that they have our full support in taking up this challenge.”