Spain to combat racism

Spain's sports minister Jaime Lissavetzky has promised a radical approach to combating racism in football with tough action against the ultra groups that encourage racist behaviour.

"We need the courage to confront this problem and act decisively against it," Lissavetzky said when he presented the new "Hold out your hand" initiative designed to raise awareness of the problem amongst football fans.

The Spanish Football Federation, the Football League, UEFA, anti-racist groups as well as players and fans associations are all backing the campaign which will involve a series of events at first and second division games over the next two weeks.

Lissavetzky said the initiative was part of a three-pronged attack.

"We are raising awareness on the one hand, but also improving the methods of detection of the perpetrators and introducing stronger punishments," he said.

"We are in the process of passing a new law against racism, xenophobia and intolerance and we hope it will be a useful tool in helping us achieve our aim of zero tolerance against racism."