Ferdinand attacks UEFA over fight against racism

Manchester United's England defender Rio Ferdinand has accused UEFA of not doing enough to combat racism in the European game.

Ferdinand criticised the fines issued after England players suffered racist taunts in a friendly in Spain in November 2004, though both the match and sanctions were a matter, rather than its European arm.

"For too long now, European football authorities have not taken the problem of racism in the game seriously and refuse to acknowledge how widespread the problem is," Ferdinand said.

"I talk to a lot of European players and know there are big problems in Spain, Italy and in Eastern Europe.

"It is time for UEFA to stop paying lip-service to the problem. The fines handed out after the England-Spain game (100,000 Swiss francs) were a joke.

"UEFA should look at imposing huge fines or deducting points within tournaments or competitions."

Ferdinand supports a European Parliament resolution that would provide extra sanctions for tackling racist behaviour by giving referees the power to abandon matches.

"If UEFA really is serious about kicking racism into touch they should adopt some of the penalties called for in the (EP) resolution and get on with punishing those who defame the game we all love with their backward, racist views," he said.

Replying for UEFA, spokesman William Gaillard told Sky Sports News: "I think I understand Rio's frustration because racism is a very ugly phenomenon and I feel we need to stamp it out."

However, Gaillard pointed out UEFA's lack of jurisdiction over the England-Spain match or in the recent abuse faced by Barcelona's Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o in a Spanish league match.

"Rio should know we have imposed sanctions in tens of hundreds of thousands last year," Gaillard said.

"We have banned stadiums for up to four games, have closed sections of stadiums in a number of countries.

"I think UEFA have been relentless in their fight against racism and we are always willing to do more. We need sanctions from politicians in some countries to protect us from the wrath of clubs who are hit with these sanctions."