The Premier League has said it would welcome the opportunity to speak to Raheem Sterling and other players about developing ideas to combat racism.

Manchester City and England forward Sterling this week told the Wall Street Journal’s Future of Everything Festival in New York the current campaign does not go far enough.

Instead, the 24-year-old wants to see the introduction of “hard punishments” when incidents occur, and suggested clubs should be docked up to nine points.

Sterling, who has emerged as a key voice in the campaign against racism for his readiness to speak out on the issue, said he would be keen to speak to the Football Association and Premier League over the summer to discuss ideas, a suggestion the Premier League is happy to take up.

A league statement said: “The Premier League and our clubs agree that while good work has been undertaken, more needs to be done to promote inclusion and diversity across football and to ensure BAME fans and players are supported.

Racism in football Show all 21 1 /21 Racism in football Racism in football Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang Gabonese striker has banana hurled at him by Tottenham supporters Getty Racism in football Kalidou Kouliably Napoli centre-back abused by Inter Milan supporters EPA Racism in football Renne Hector Tottenham Ladies player racially abused by former Sheffield United striker Sophie Jones Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images Racism in football Callum Hudson-Odoi Chelsea starlet racially abused by Dynamo Kiev supporters Reuters Racism in football Raheem Sterling Manchester City star racially abused by supporters in Montenegro Getty Racism in football Danny Rose England full-back racially abused by Montenegro supporters PA Racism in football Moise Kean Juventus teenager racially abused by Cagliari supporters Getty Racism in football Duane Holmes Derby midfielder racially abused by Wigan fan Action Plus via Getty Images Racism in football Nathan Byrne Wigan player racially abused over social media Getty Racism in football Wilfried Zaha Crystal Palace forward racially abused over social media Reuters Racism in football Ashley Young Full-back racially abused by Manchester United fans on social media after Barcelona defeat Getty Images Racism in football Tiemoue Bakayoko Tiemoue Bakayoko was racially abused during AC Milan’s Coppa Italia clash with Lazio Getty Racism in football Malcom Malcom was racially abused during his debut for Zenit St. Petersburg Alexander Demianchuk/TASS Racism in football Tammy Abraham Tammy Abraham missed the crucial penalty as Chelsea lost to Liverpool in the Uefa Super Cup, which sparked racial abuse from Twitter trolls online Reuters Racism in football Paul Pogba Paul Pogba was sent racial abuse on Twitter after missing a penalty for Man United in the 1-1 draw at Wolves Reuters Racism in football Juan Jesus Roma's Juan Jesus was abused over social media Getty Racism in football Taison The Shakhtar star was abused by Dynamo Kiev fans and was then sent off after making a gesture in retaliation and kicking the ball in their direction AP Racism in football Mario Balotelli Mario Balotelli threatened to walk off after being racially abused by Verona supporters Getty Racism in football Romelu Lukaku Romelu Lukaku accused Cagliari's supporters of racist abuse Reuters Racism in football Corriere dello Sport previewed Inter vs Roma as ‘Black Friday’ Corriere dello Sport sparked outrage by calling Romelu Lukaku and Chris Smalling's first meeting against each other since both left Manchester United as "Black Friday" CdS Racism in football Man City fan arrested for allegedly racially abusing Manchester United players A Manchester City fan allegedly aimed a racial gesture at Manchester United players EPA

“Together, we are also committed to improving pathways to encourage more people from different backgrounds to take up coaching, refereeing and administrative roles in the sport.

“Raheem took part in our No Room for Racism campaign and we would welcome the opportunity to talk to him, and other players, about discrimination in football.

“Developing our work in this area is a priority for the Premier League.”

Sterling was subject to racist chanting during England’s away match in Montenegro in March, and was one of several players allegedly abused by Chelsea fans in December. He said strong punishments were needed in order for the campaign to have a real impact.

“Teams getting (points) deductions, teams getting kicked out... this is when people start taking it seriously,” he said. “If I go to a football game and I support Manchester United, for example, I don’t want to be the person that lets my team down by saying silly remarks in a stadium.

“If you know your team is going to get deducted nine points and not win the league, you are not going to say these racist remarks even though you shouldn’t have it in your head.

“Fining a club £5,000 or a fan £300 doesn’t do anything.”