FIFA - Blatter calls for tougher punishments

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has called for tougher punishment for teams and associations found guilty of racism.

The 79-year-old Swiss feels monetary sanctions are increasingly ineffective.

"We have to use our rules to suspend teams, to take away their points or even to relegate them if racism continues," he said.

Blatter, who is bidding to be re-elected in May, voiced his views at the Confederation of African Football congress in Cairo on Tuesday.

 He is expected to get extensive support for his candidacy from the continent's 54 countries.

And Blatter reminded African countries of extensive financial support to the continent's football associations from world football's governing body as he opened the congress.

He said FIFA had spent $700m (£470m) on various programmes across Africa.

"We should maybe spend more to prepare a better future for the children," he added, mirroring the promises of his three rivals in the FIFA election for more financial assistance for member countries.

Blatter was met with a warm ovation from the African delegates in contrast to having to sit through stinging criticism when he attended the UEFA congress in Vienna last month.

Tuesday's CAF congress was also attended by Prince Ali bin Al Hussein of Jordan, Dutch Football Association President Michael van Praag and former Portugal international Luis Figo, who are all standing against Blatter, but they were not permitted to address the assembly.

CAF president Issa Hayatou, who last year pledged his members' support to Blatter's bid for another term in office, repeated his call for Africa to back the incumbent.

"He has been a faithful partner and in Africa we acknowledge our friends and offer them that they deserve," added Hayatou.