FIFA president Gianni Infantino sets a deadline to rid football of racism

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has given football THREE MONTHS to find a way to eradicate racism from the game.

The world football boss used a speech to the UEFA congress in Paris to call for a decisive moment in the fight against racial discrimination.

FIFA chief Gianni Infantino has set a deadline for football to stamp out racismCredit: AP

Birmingham City star Juninho Bacuna claimed he was racially abused by a West Brom fanCredit: Rex

And Infantino declared May 17 at the FIFA congress in Bangkok as his D-Day for football associations around the world to get their affairs in order.

He has demanded points deductions for teams whose matches are abandoned due to racist incidents, as well as criminal charges for those who commit racism.

It follows the abuse of Coventry's Kasey Palmer at Sheffield Wednesday, while Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr. was regularly called racist.

AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan walked off the pitch after being targeted by Udinese fans in January and Brentford striker Ivan Toney was the subject of “despicable harassment” online this week.

A man has also been arrested on suspicion of racially abusing Birmingham midfielder Juninho Bacuna during their 1-0 defeat to West Brom last weekend.

Infantino said: “In recent months we have witnessed many racist incidents. This is no longer acceptable.

“We have to stop this and do everything we can to stop it. Racism is a crime. It is a terrible thing and we must eradicate it.”

FIFA has a three-step protocol, so that a referee can stop a match if racist behavior is heard from the stands.

A second incident will result in a match being suspended and a third will result in the match being abandoned.

Infantino said tackling racism was his “top priority” and wanted “joint, global action” and stressed that “concrete” action was now necessary, with the FA ready to step up and take more action.

Watch Brazilian teams SIT the first 30 seconds of the match in support of Vinicius Jr. after the racism storm

He added: “The consequences should be a fine for the team responsible for the shutdown.

“We must bring criminal charges against those who behave in a racist manner and deny them access to stadiums. But that is not enough.

“Over the next three months, we must work together, before the FIFA Congress in Bangkok on May 17, to achieve a strong, united resolution to fight racism.

“Let's stop racism. Let's stop it now.”

Meanwhile, a fan who racially abused Forest Green's Jordan Garrick has been jailed for nine months.

Ryan Ferguson, 24, from Liverpool, pleaded guilty to racial harassment, failing to comply with a football ban and resisting a police officer during Rovers' League One match with Fleetwood in April last year.