Football pioneer Anderson calls for harsh penalties for racist abuse

Clubs or countries whose fans racially abuse players should be fined millions, docked points or even expelled from competitions, Viv Anderson, the first black footballer to play for England, told AFP.

The 62-year-old former full-back lambasted UEFA's decision to fine Montenegro's football authorities 20,000 euros ($22,400) for their fans' racial abuse of England players, including Raheem Sterling and Danny Rose, in a Euro 2020 qualifier in March.

Anderson, an integral part of Brian Clough's Nottingham Forest side that won two European Cups and went on to play for Manchester United and Arsenal, said unless there was a real deterrent racism would not be quelled at football matches.

"If a fine is a million pounds, you dock points and chuck the team out of the competition the associations will soon wake up and go we need to do something about this," said Anderson, speaking at the Sport Resolutions Annual Conference 2019 in London last week.

"By fining Montenegro 20,000 euros that's actually saying 'we accept what they are doing, just get on with it'.

"There has to be a serious deterrent. If you fine them millions, ban them and dock points, see how quickly it is remedied."
"Same with the FA and other governing bodies - they say whatever repercussions come from that, we will deal with it."
"But fair play to them, they came out and made a point and have done it very well."
- 'Crying shame' -
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"The next step up is as managers and administrators."
"I would have ended up working in Tesco's (supermarket) or something like that."