HIT 'EM WHERE IT HURTS

Last updated : 16 June 2005 By Editor

This is in The Daily Mail:

UEFA will this week take the first steps towards toughening up the penalties for national sides, clubs and players who misbehave and are set to move towards a system where points deductions and match forfeits will be become regular punishments.

European football's rulers have been stung into action by criticism that fines now mean little to wealthy clubs and national associations.

Chelsea were fined £33,000 by UEFA in March for bringing the game into disrepute over the Anders Frisk affair - less than half a week's wages for one of the top players.

There was also criticism that Italian side Inter Milan were given a four-match stadium ban for a second offence of crowd trouble instead of being kicked out of the Champions League.

A source close to UEFA told the Press Association: "Fines will be a deterrent for poorer clubs or national associations but everyone knows that nowadays they do not affect the richer ones at all.

"For example a fine for Chelsea or for a rich association such as England or Italy does not hurt them at all.

"UEFA are keen not to be seen to be soft on misbehaviour, particularly in the light of the Anders Frisk affair and what happened with Inter.

"The executive committee will be asked to consider using sporting sanctions much more often - points deductions or match forfeits that will really hit those who misbehave where it hurts."