NYON (Switzerland): Players making racist remarks or gestures could be banned for up to five matches, according to new UEFA disciplinary regulations announced on Monday.

Anyone who insults the human dignity of a person or group of persons, by whatever means, including on grounds of colour, race, religion or ethnic origin will now face a maximum punishment of five-game ban.

In addition, any club whose supporters engage in racist or discriminatory conduct will receive a minimum fine of $24,250.

Additional sanctions

UEFA also said it can impose additional sanctions, such as forcing teams to play in an empty stadium, closing grounds, awarding matches by default, deducting points and disqualification from competitions. European soccer's governing body said that any form of extremist ideological propaganda is banned.

The regulations also state that players who simulate fouls or injuries to dupe the referee into making an incorrect decision will face a maximum two-match suspension.

If a team has five players or more shown yellow cards in the same match, then it can be punished under new ``improper conduct of a team'' regulations.

The rules also stress that referees' on-field decisions are still final. Only the subsequent consequences of a decision made by the referee may be reviewed in cases involving an obvious error, such as mistaken identity.

UEFA added that the statutes of limitation regarding doping offences have been brought into line with requirements laid down by the World Anti-Doping Agency. Prosecution is now barred at the end of eight years for doping offences. — AP

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