Minimum 10-game ban for players found guilty of discrimination
The Football Association has increased the minimum suspension for players and staff found guilty of discrimination from six to 10 matches. This policy change aims to combat rising incidents of discriminatory conduct within the sport.
Why it matters
Stricter disciplinary measures reflect a growing institutional effort to address systemic racism and discrimination in professional sports.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, The Football Association's previous minimum six-match suspension for discrimination was introduced for the 2019-20 season
Players found guilty of discrimination will face a ban of at least 10 matches under strengthened Football Association rules coming in for the new season.
In previous seasons, suspensions ranged from six to 12 matches for 'aggravated breaches' of FA Rule E3.2, which relates to misconduct around references to ethnic origin, colour, race, nationality, religion, sex, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, or disability.
The strengthened sanction, which also applies to managers and individuals in the technical area, is part of the FA's commitment to "delivering a game free from discrimination".
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