Rio: Deduct points to punish racists

Rio Ferdinand has called on FIFA to start deducting points from teams whose supporters chant racial or homophobic abuse at players.

Like most within the football fraternity, Ferdinand was furious that the Croatian FA was only fined £15,000 for the behaviour of their fans in the recent defeat to England in Zagreb.

The England defender said: "Croatia were fined a few thousand quid. What good is that going to do? That is not going to stop people shouting racist or homophobic abuse. If things like this keep happening you have to take points off them."

He added: "Then the punters will realise the team is going to be punished."

Emile Heskey was the target of disgraceful chanting during England's 4-1 win.

It was the kind of crowd reaction that was supposed to have disappeared from English grounds. Unfortunately, the abuse directed at Sol Campbell recently when Tottenham visited Portsmouth suggested otherwise.

But Ferdinand has had enough of minor punishments. He feels FIFA should stop talking and start acting tough in a bid to drive away one of the main scourges in the game.

"The football authorities need to look at themselves," the England vice-captain told BBC Radio Five Live.

"(FIFA president) Sepp Blatter likes to speak up about things that are good for FIFA's image. I would love to see them stand up and dish out the right punishments for these incidents.

"They make a lot of comments about what they are going to do but they never back up the words with actions."