The UEFA executive committee on Thursday called for harsher penalties for cases of racism and discrimination in football, dpa reported.
At its meeting in Sofia, European football's ruling body ratified a resolution to that effect adopted by the Professional Football Strategic Council (PFSC), which is comprised of representatives of Europe's national associations (UEFA), clubs (ECA), leagues (EPFL) and players (FIFPro Division Europe).
UEFA also committed its full support to referees stopping matches in cases of racism and called on national associations and leagues to do the same.
Players and coaches, especially those with the most influence on the perpetrators of racist acts, should speak out, even if this may mean criticising their own fans or players.
Governments and law enforcement agencies should also help by providing football bodies with the necessary legal means, including by prosecuting and banning racist fans from stadia and by facilitating the exchange of information regarding racist activities.
At the beginning of the year, AC Milan's Ghana international Kevin-Prince Boateng received a lot of support for his decision to leave the pitch during a friendly in Italy after being the subject of racist slurs from the stands.