The Sun Newspaper

CLUBS now face ground closures if their fans shout persistent racist or homophobic chants.
An FA crackdown also sees players who are guilty of on-field racism hit with bans of up to 12 games.

2

The FA will crack down on racist abuse at football matchesCredit: PA:Press Association
And Premier League stars will be liable to three-match suspensions at a minimum for any social-media breaches of the regulations.
The new FA stance, which comes into effect from Monday, follows a series of incidents on and off the pitch last season.
Now Wembley beaks are determined to try to banish racism and discrimination by fans, with ground closures written into the rulebook for clubs whose supporters reoffend.
Under the new disciplinary code, drafted in consultation with Kick It Out, the PFA and the League Managers Association, the FA has made it clear that while it has no jurisdiction over fans, clubs will ultimately be “responsible for ensuring its supporters refrain from improper conduct”.

The new guidelines state: “Any action for discriminatory behaviour will be taken against a club for the behaviour of its spectators.
“All allegations of discriminatory behaviour will be investigated.”
Discriminatory chanting will, in the first instance, lead to an “action plan” to enforce improvements by clubs, which, the FA warned, “can come at a significant financial cost”.

Repeat offences will be treated with utmost seriousness.. Commissions can impose any sanctions appropriate but full or partial stadium closures will be considered.
FA statement

The FA explained: “Any subsequent offences will be treated with the utmost  seriousness.

“Repeat offences will also be treated with the utmost seriousness, and there will be a presumption that a further action plan will not be appropriate.
“In such circumstances, Regulatory Commissions can impose any sanctions they deem appropriate but either full or partial stadium closures and financial penalties will be considered.”
Wembley chiefs believe that the new regime will be a deterrent against illicit and unacceptable chanting and gestures although at this stage points deductions are not likely.
But the steps to punish clubs for the behaviour of their fans comes alongside the harsher disciplinary measures against players who step out of line.
Under the new regulations, the existing six-game  minimum ban for on-field discrimination will remain.
But the FA now believes  making it clear that serious offences could attract a ban of double the minimum length “allows greater scope for cases to be sanctioned appropriately and consistently”.

2

England manager Gareth Southgate has also hit out over racismCredit: PA:Press Association
There will still be “rare” cases, at either end of the scale, where the mandatory suspension lengths may not be deemed appropriate.
However,  social-media breaches — such as those that cost Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva and Spurs star Dele Alli  one-game bans this season — will not attract minimum three-match bans.
Plus players and managers have also been warned they can no longer use the “private message” defence to reduce any punishments.
The guidelines add: “Where the FA believes the offence is particularly serious, including by reference to the language used, it reserves the right to charge, notwithstanding the fact that the participant has or may have a legitimate expectation of privacy.”
That applies to any spoken, written or text comment, including on any form of social media and in any  circumstances including away from a football context.
And it also means players will now be liable to a charge if they like, retweet or forward a discriminatory message.

FA legal chief Polly Handford said: “We are committed to investigating, charging and sanctioning all forms of  discrimination with consistency and transparency.
“Of course no two cases are ever the same.
 “But our new charging policies and sanctioning guidelines provide clear frameworks for the circumstances in which we will act.” More

BARCELONA will test the water with a £14million bid for Manchester City starlet Eric Garcia.
Pep Guardiola revealed on Thursday the defender, 19, is refusing to pen  a new Etihad contract.

2

Barcelona target Eric Garcia has told Man City he will not sign a new Etihad dealCredit: Getty Images – Getty

2

Man City’s defensive concerns were partly eased by Nathan Ake arriving from Bournemouth for £41mCredit: Getty Images – Getty
As Garcia has just a year left on his current one, City have a big call over whether to cash in on him now.
Etihad chiefs will  want at least £20m  up front, with a  further £10m in add-ons, to consider selling him.
Otherwise they are happy to let him  see out the final 12 months before going for nothing.
But it is Barca’s interest which is believed to have unsettled Garcia, who had been expected to commit his long-term future to City.

HEADACHE OVER STONES
The Catalan giants are hoping to land their academy product on the cheap in the current window.
Yet their opening offer is likely to be well short of his valuation by City.
Garcia’s refusal to pen fresh terms has also given City a headache over what to do about John Stones and Nicolas Otamendi, who were both set to leave this summer.
But Guardiola’s issues at the back were at least eased a little by Bournemouth’s Nathan Ake completing his £41m move.

Harry Maguire was a target last summer but City baulked at Leicester’s £85m asking price — so neighbours United pounced.

Since then, though, Aymeric Laporte has suffered a serious knee injury.
Fernandinho, 35, was successfully converted to centre-back.
But Guardiola does not want another season of shuffling around for options, particularly as Liverpool dethroned City to win the title by a huge 18 points.

Gareth Bale hits the golf course while Real Madrid prepare for their Champions League game against Man City More