FIFA president Sepp Blatter has condemned the Real Betis fans who apparently directed racist chants at their own player Paulao after he was sent off in Sunday’s 4-0 derby defeat at Sevilla.

A group of Betis fans were briefly shown on Spanish TV making what appeared to be monkey chants at Paulao after he was dismissed shortly before half-time at the Sanchez Pizjuan.

The incident was not mentioned in the referee’s match report.

“Sickened to learn of ‘fans’ racially abusing a Real Betis player,” Blatter wrote on his Twitter feed yesterday.

“I condemn their actions, which were seen on TV/online by millions,” the Swiss added.

“FIFA’s members approved a resolution at congress in May to tackle discrimination. It’s time for tougher sanctions.”

Soccer’s world governing body agreed in May that evidence of racism should be punished with a warning, a fine and/or the playing of a match behind closed doors for “a first or a minor offence”.

“For re-offenders or for serious incidents, sanctions such as point deductions, expulsion from a competition or relegation should be applied,” they said.

Any person found guilty of a racist offence would be suspended for at least five matches and slapped with a stadium ban.

Betis published a brief statement on their Twitter feed after the match in which they said the club condemned any “violent or racist act”, whether directed at an opponent or one of their own players.

Brazil-born Paulao said the chanting was “a disgraceful act”.

“My family, in Brazil as well as here in Spain, are sad and worried,” he said.