Ferdinand blasts `feeble' racism punishments

Rio Ferdinand fears "feeble punishments" for instances of unacceptable crowd behaviour in football may undermine the message that racism has no place in his sport. England and Manchester United defender Ferdinand appears unconvinced that governing bodies always come up with suitably stringent sanctions against clubs whose supporters still transgress. Chairing a debate on the scourge of racism through the ages and the need to ensure it persists no longer, Ferdinand noted regrettable behaviour is not always dealt with properly. "Then you see feeble punishments handed out," he said on MUTV. "The message to youngsters is that it couldn't have been that bad after all. "If you are (disqualified) out of a competition then I think young people get the message that it is harder-hitting."