Jeremy Corbyn has urged England players to walk out during World Cup matches in Russia this summer if that is the only way they feel racist abuse will be taken seriously.

The Labour leader is concerned that racism could overshadow the World Cup and implored Fifa to take stringent action at the start of the tournament should there be abuse from the stands or on the pitch.

Ghana’s Sulley Muntari was shown a yellow card when he walked off the pitch after being racially abused during a Serie A match last year.

“I would support any player walking off as a way of saying: ‘I’m not prepared to tolerate this abuse,’” said Corbyn, who was speaking to the Guardian at a Show Racism the Red Card event.

“I am concerned the World Cup will be overshadowed by racism but let’s be optimistic. The World Cup is biggest sporting event outside the Olympics. Half the world’s population will be aware of it and audience of billions watching in some form or other.

“What a message for Russia and the whole world if they decide at the very beginning to adopt an absolute zero tolerance of racism in any form. Referees must be prepared to intervene immediately, send people off, take people out of the stadium and ultimately stop the match. If that’s done at the start it will set the tone and be a great way to stand up to racism globally.”

Corbyn, who is an Arsenal fan, also called on Tottenham Hotspur fans before the north London derby on Saturday to abandon a “Yid Army” chant which is still sung by some sections of supporters. The term Yid is often used as a derogatory term for Jewish people but some Spurs fans claim it is used to refer to supporters of the club.

“There has been racist abuse at past matches between Arsenal and Spurs, instances of antisemitism and homophobia,” Corbyn said. “Yes, football fans get very passionate but that is not acceptable and not allowed. Yid chants are unacceptable, it plays into something that’s not very good and we should be saying: ‘We’re the Spurs’ or ‘We’re the Arsenal’. Stick to your club, it’s your club that unites you.

“The idea of adopting a term to neutralise it doesn’t really work because it is identifying a club by an ethnic group or faith, whereas you should be identifying club through supporters. Calling Arsenal fans Gooners or Gunners is fine because that is what it is because of the origins or heritage of the club.”