English football agrees on anti-racism action plan

By ROB HARRIS

LONDON (AP) The English Football Association has approved proposals to help stamp out the resurgence of racism in the national game.

The "Inclusion and Anti-Discrimination Action Plan" was requested by British Prime Minister David Cameron after high-profile racism cases involving Chelsea captain John Terry and Liverpool striker Luis Suarez last season, and various fan incidents.

Among proposals across 15 pages, managers and players will have "mandatory induction arrangements" if they are new to the "British cultural environment."

Football leaders also want greater consistency in the response by police to racist abuse at matches and legislation to clamp down on abusive messages on social networking sites.

FA Chairman David Bernstein says "this is a commitment on behalf of English football to ensure the game is inclusive and free of discrimination."

Updated December 20, 2012