UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has backed players determined to take a knee ahead of the Champions League’s remaining games.
It comes after Manchester United ’s stars performed the tribute ahead of their Europa League tie against LASK.
Mirror Sport understands UEFA’s stance is set to signal a stronger line on racism in response to players across Europe standing up to be counted.
Ceferin said: “It has been a wake-up call, for society and the wider European football community.
“It is a reality that billions of fans sometimes pay more attention to football than to their elected political leaders."
As promised by Ceferin in an exclusive interview with the Daily Mirror last December, UEFA has finally amended the make up of it’s Disciplinary Panel to make Deputy PFA chief executive Bobby Barnes it’s first black member.
Now it intends to review punishments with players and fans scathing in their condemnation of the pitiful fines that have failed to make an impact.
Porto star Moussa Marega walked off the pitch in response to being targeted in February.
In Ukraine, Shakhtar Donetsk star Taison was sent off for reacting to abuse from Dynamo Kiev fans last November.
In Holland, clubs in the top two divisions refused to play the first minute of their games on the weekend of 23 November after taunts aimed at Excelsior forward Ahmad Mendes Moreira.
In Spain, Athletic Bilbao player Inaki Williams was subjected to monkey chants by home fans during a game at Espanyol in January.
And in England last December a Manchester City fan was arrested after allegedly making monkey noises towards Manchester United midfielder Fred.
Bayern Munich defender Jerome Boateng last week urged players to use the platform provided by the Champions League to continue taking a knee.
Ceferin responded: “Clubs and players have shown solidarity with society’s outpouring of pain, anger and sadness following the tragic death of George Floyd in the United States.
“Athletes from a range of sports have spoken eloquently of a moment of genuine potential for governing bodies to rethink their anti-racism programmes.
“UEFA has always recognised its responsibility, both to address any form of racial bias within European football and take concrete steps to fight the sickening use of racist language against players.”
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