Raheem Sterling
Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling has called for harsher punishments in the fight against racism in football.
With several high-profile racial incidents over the past 12 months, some of the biggest names in the Premier League have started a a social media boycott in support of the cause.
However, Sterling, who has been nominated for the 2018/19 PFA Player of the Year award feels an automatic deduction and a stadium ban together would go a long way in silencing the hate speech that's become synonmous to European football.
"I'd call for an automatic nine-point deduction for racist abuse," he wrote in a column for the Times. "It sounds harsh but which fan will risk racist behaviour if it might relegate their team or ruin their title bid?
"The club should have to play three games behind closed doors. That way, they lose revenue as a direct consequence of racist behaviour.
He added: "Up and down the game, across the world, black and Asian players, fans and coaches are subjected to racism. Every day, from park football to the Champions League,"
"I don't know how long it'll take for things to change but we have to start now. I don't want the next generation of black players to have to put up with this evil."
