LONDON: Michel Platini has insisted that national associations would not be ordered to adopt UEFA’s new, tough sanctions on racist behaviour writes KEIR RADNEDGE.

At issue for UEFA’s president in London for his congress was the recent decision by the Football Association in England to set a suspension tariff of five games. This is half the 10-game minimum voted in by UEFA Congress.

UEFA’s challenge is in establishing reformist credentials and seeking to take a moral high ground after turning a blind eye to the racism issue for so long, unlike England.

Platini said: “We have always had anti-racism regulations and we have tightened them over the years. We ask all national associations to adhere to these regulations. That doesn’t mean everyone will follow suit but it’s an important gesture.

“But if England has been working for some time on a programme which is working well [then] we won’t pitch one side against another. Everyone has the right to act according to the framework in their own countries. This [resolution] is a recommendation.”

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