Last updated on .From the section Football

Uefa has recommended that referees stop matches when there are incidents of racism and says it will "fully support" them if they follow its advice.

European football's governing body reminded officials they had been authorised four years ago to halt games in case of serious racism incidents.

It also urged coaches and players to speak out "even if it meant criticising their own players and fans".

In 2009, Uefa outlined a three-step procedure for abandoning games.

Tackling racism & discrimination Key points from resolution: The current education/prevention measures and disciplinary framework are still not preventing recurrent incidents of racism

Such incidents are still widespread in our continent

Uefa, national associations and leagues should legislate for stricter sanctions regarding racism

Disciplinary bodies should apply such stricter sanctions in cases of proven racism and to seek ways of obliging those sanctioned to take future preventive action

Competition organisers in Europe should apply the guidelines issued by Uefa for how to deal with racist incidents during matches

Referees can stop matches in cases of racism and national associations and leagues should support such action

National associations, leagues, clubs and player unions should review and improve their measures for education regarding racism

Players and coaches should speak out, even if this may mean criticising their own fans or players

State authorities should play their part by: providing the football bodies with the necessary legal means; acting and emphasising to arrest, prosecute and ban from stadia for significant periods those responsible for racist acts; allowing the exchange of information regarding racist activities between states and football bodies

It said the referee should first stop the match and ask for announcements to be made over the public address system.

The second step would be to suspend the match for a given period of time and, finally, abandon it.

Uefa reiterated its position on Thursday in a resolution issued in conjunction with the European Clubs Association (ECA) and the world players' union, FIFPro.

The resolution was drawn up by the Professional Football Strategy Council (PFSC) and ratified by Uefa's executive committee, meeting in Bulgaria, on Thursday. The PFSC is composed of representatives from Uefa, the national leagues, European clubs and the players.

So far, no Uefa-organised match has ever been abandoned and, despite the guidelines, there have been several games where play has continued despite racist chanting, including a in the Europa League.

AC Milan's having been racially abused by fans during a friendly with Italian lower-division side Pro Patria in January and the game was abandoned.

The resolution also called on Uefa, national associations and leagues to provide new regulations which allow for stricter sanctions in cases of racism.

"Many countries have taken significant and successful action but such incidents are still widespread in our continent," it added.

"[The resolution] calls on the players and coaches - namely those with most influence on the perpetrators of racist acts - to speak out, even if this may mean criticising their own fans or players.

"Finally, the PFSC acknowledges that racism is one form of discrimination, but that, unfortunately, other forms of discrimination also manifest themselves from time to time in football.

"It expresses its full and unconditional opposition to any form of discrimination."