UEFA to dock points for players who misbehave

UEFA will this week take the first steps towards toughening up the penalties for national sides, clubs and players who misbehave and are set to move towards a system where points deductions and match forfeits will be become regular punishments.

European football’s rulers have been stung into action by criticism that fines now mean little to wealthy clubs and national associations.

Chelsea were fined £33,000 by UEFA in March for bringing the game into disrepute over the Anders Frisk affair - less than half a week’s wages for one of the top players.

For some more trivial offences, however, UEFA have taken a harsh line. If a club fields an ineligible player in European competition, even for five minutes as a sub, they forfeit the match with a 3-0 defeat marked against them.