Sepp Blatter was "very pleased with the ideas that have evolved" © Getty Images Enlarge

FIFA has said it is hopeful that its congress will approve a series of tougher punishments for racist abuse in football.

World football's governing body said its president Sepp Blatter and UEFA president Michel Platini had attended a meeting of the strategic committee at which the issue, along with that of match-fixing, had been discussed.

When the congress meets on May 31, a series of proposed sanctions, due to be discussed at an executive committee meeting next month, will be presented.

Blatter has said he is "very pleased with the ideas that have evolved" and added: "The aim is to present to the FIFA Congress in Mauritius concrete actions, as well as strong sanctions, which will really have an impact."

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