Wisla Krakow's Defender Ban Stands

Last updated : 01 November 2006 By Sam
Mijailovic had appealed aginst the five game ban he received for racially abusing McCarthy during the UEFA Cup match between the sides on Oct. 19th, which Rovers won 2-1.

"This is the first case to be heard since UEFA changed its disciplinary statutes in line with FIFA's new guidelines on racism in football," said UEFA spokesman William Gaillard.

"From now on, any player found guilty of racial abuse will be banned for five matches in the case of a first offence, unless they can offer a credible defence such as, for example, not being able to speak the language that they are accused of having abused the other person in.

"We are determined to eradicate racism. We still have to see what it will take to do that, but we are determined to go all the way."