England News

• Nickname:Three Lions
• Founded: 1872
• Manager:Roy Hodgson

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Heskey backs Rio fine call

10 Oct 2008 - 09:36:41

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England striker Emile Heskey has backed Rio Ferdinand's call for FIFA to get serious over racism after echoing his claim that the fine handed out to the Croatian authorities was "not adequate".

Ferdinand accused the game's governing body of failing to act tough on racists after they find Croatia just £15,000 for the racist abuse aimed at Heskey during England's 4-1 World Cup qualifying win in Zagreb last month.

The Manchester United defender also claimed FIFA should start deducting points from teams whose fans are found guilty of racially abusing opposition players.

Now Heskey has joined forces with his international team-mate after criticising FIFA for their level of punishment.

He said: "Everybody knows that is not adequate.

"I respect FIFA but if it happens again they'll have to do something else.

"If you were asking what I'd do, it would be different to that (a fine).

"It was a little strange, because having come back to international football, I didn't really expect it.

"Is a points deduction the way forward? Is that going to stop the fans from chanting more, I don't know.

"But they've probably got to look at it in a broader picture as well and see where they can help."