It’s time for UEFA to tackle racism properly once and for all and after another ugly incident overshadowed England under 21's victory in Serbia.

A series of pitiful fines and inept warnings have meant a minority of fans in some nations have got away with metaphoric murder at the expense of innocent footballers. A footballer should be able to step out onto a pitch to do his job without being subjected to racist chants and having missiles launched in his direction. Jordan Henderson said, “There was a lot of racist abuse out there from the stands and a lot going on after the game.

“There were also stones, coins and seats getting thrown at us,” (BBC). This brutal incident of fan trouble is not the first incident involving unruly Serbian fans. In 2007 Serbian fans singled out Nedum Onouha for racial chants during an England under 21 fixture and received a mere £16,000 fine. With this not the first incident involving Serbian troublemakers it is time to send a real message out, ban them. If Serbia are withdrawn from international competition then maybe those who do cause trouble will think twice before next acting in such a vile way, or maybe those who remain silent around them will act more vigilantly in stopping these despicable acts.

UEFA’s punishment of racism has been farcical and now is the time for change, Porto were fined a mere £16,400 for racially abusing Mario Balotelli in a Europa League clash. The same governing body then charged Nicklas Bendtner £80,000 for having Paddy Power written on his boxers. If Serbia were banned from all international fixtures for at least a tournament it would send a strong message across the globe that racism is not tolerated in football. Banning one of Europe’s stronger nation’s from all international competition would send a strong message out to fans from other countries who England have had deal with poisonous chants before. If Serbia are made an example of the minority who have tarnished Bulgaria vs. England and Spain vs. England matches in the past might get the message.

This unfortunate volatile fixture can hopefully act as the catalyst to new tougher regulations from football’s governing body, as enough is enough, this can’t go on.