The English Football Association has increased the mandatory minimum ban for first-time offenders found guilty of discriminatory behaviour to six matches from five ahead of the 2019-20 season.
It follows a report from the British anti-discriminatory body Kick It Out that showed there was a 43% increase in reports of racist abuse in English football last campaign.
Last week, Chelsea Football Club banned a supporter for life from attending games after he was found guilty of racially abusing Manchester City winger Raheem Sterling during last season’s match between the two clubs.
The FA’s six-game ban can be increased “depending on any additional aggravating factors”, and it is also in talks with various stakeholders about how best to combat discrimination on and off the pitch.
The world soccer governing body FIFA doubled its minimum ban for racism to 10 games last month as soccer’s authorities attempt to clamp down after a number of high profile incidents in domestic and international football.
