A referee shows a red card to a Tottenham midfielder during the UEFA cup match between Udine and Tottenham on October 23, 2008. Under new guildelines referees can now call off games due to racist chants. (Damien Meyer/Getty Images)European soccer authorities have approved new guidelines for referees to act against racism in stadiums. The governing body also says games could be called off because of offensive chants by fans.
UEFA's executive committee put in place Thursday procedures that take effect immediately.
A referee should first demand over the public address system that fans stop their racist behaviour, the committee said.
If they fail to do so, the game should be suspended for five to 10 minutes, with the teams sent to the locker rooms. If the racism persists once play resumes, the game should be abandoned.
© The Canadian Press, 2009
