Thierry Henry wants stricter punishment for racism

According to the former Arsenal and Barcelona star Thierry Henry, the only way to kick racism out of football is to start docking points of clubs whose fans indulge in racist behaviour.

FIFA has been blamed in the recent times because of their insensitive attitude towards this subject as only minor steps like minimal fines have been imposed on majority of the offences committed related to this.

For the first time in the history of FIFA, it imposed a one-match ban on Bulgaria as the fans of the team made racist comments and hurled racist abuse on a Denmark player. Henry, currently plying his trade at the New York Red Bulls, wants the governing body to be more strict with their rules. He also said that fans would get the message only when their favourite teams get punished in the league because of their behaviour.

He was quoted as saying.”If you want to stop fans screaming and shouting racist things you have to deduct some points,If it does happen, the team [whose fans] said those things should lose the game.

“If the fans love their team then surely they won’t want to lose three points. Giving fines of $1,000-$2,000 is not going to hurt the team. What is going to hurt the team is losing points.”

“You always think they [the football authorities] don’t do enough. Well, the solution is to take some points away from the team, that’s the only way I see anything happening.”

Henry also supported the actions taken by the Ghana International Kevin-Prince Boateng.

During a friendly match against Italian fourth division team Pro Patria, AC Milan star Boateng and the members of his team walked out of the game after hearing racist abuse from the fans.

“At the time it was perfect,” he said. “It was a friendly game. If you want to prove a point and be seen, then it was the perfect moment to do it.

“Although some people don’t agree I thought ‘well, it’s a friendly game so why not’? Let people know enough is enough.”