Points deductions to be handed out for racism as football federation becomes first to introduce dramatic new rule

A FOOTBALL Federation has become the first to confirm that clubs could face a points deduction for racism.

The news comes just days Brentford condemned racist abuse aimed at Ivan Toney on social media after Saturday’s draw against Arsenal.

In a statement, the Bees said Toney had been subjected to a “barrage of abusive, racist direct messages” on Instagram.

Last month it was announced that racist football fans who troll players will be banned from matches in England and Wales for up to 10 years under Government plans.

The move, first announced last year, comes after England footballers Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka were subject to racist abuse after missing penalties in last summer’s Euro 2020 final.

Now the Brazilian Football Confederation, the governing body for football in the South American country, have announced their bold new rules.

And they confirmed that clubs face a lot more than just a fine if anybody associated with them.

A statement from the CBF said earlier: “Racism will be punished with a sporting penalty in Brazilian football.

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“The CBF is the first entity to include, in the General Competition Regulations, the possibility of sportingly punishing a club in case of racism with the loss of a point.

“The measure takes effect in the Copa do Brasil.”

It added: “The infraction of a discriminatory nature practised by directors, representatives and professionals of the clubs, athletes, coaches, members of the Technical Commission, fans and refereeing teams in competitions coordinated by the CBF is considered extremely serious.”

Meanwhile, a racist troll who abused England ace Reece James last year was tracked down to the Middle East.

Chelsea star Reece told The Sun: “I get (racist) messages here and there, but I’ve never really had it face to face.

“It’s always the way (that trolls hide behind the keyboard); whenever I see it I report it.

“It’s one of those things that is hard to control. Most of the time they are fake accounts.”

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk