Blackburn back Mijailovic’s five-match racism ban

UEFA have been applauded by Blackburn and English football’s anti-racism group Kick It Out for imposing a five-match European ban on Nikola Mijailovic.

Wisla Krakow’s 24-year-old Serbian defender was punished for taunting striker BenniMcCarthy during the UEFACup group game in Poland last week.

Blackburn manager Mark Hughes called for strong action to be taken and got his wish.

In a statement, the club said: “UEFA’s decision sends out a clear message that racism will not — and should not — be tolerated in the game. We appreciate UEFA’s speed in dealing with this important issue.”

South Africa striker McCarthy, 28, squared up to Mijailovic at the end of Blackburn’s 2-1victory and then complained about the treatment he hadreceived.

Kick it Out spokesman Piara Powar said: “A ban for five matches is strong stuff and very welcome.

“It is the sort of sanction that people across Europe will think, ‘There is a message to be learned here’.

“The concern in the past has been that many incidents have gone unpunished. It is time we were able to demonstrate that racism is being challenged in European football.

“UEFA are doing a lot of work in this field and this guy (Mijailovic) has been nailed in the right way.

“It seems that Blackburn and other officials were able to produce eye-witness evidence, allowing action to be taken.”

A statement on UEFA’s website confirmed: “Wisla Krakowdefender Nikola Mijailovic has been banned by UEFA for five UEFA club competition matches for racial abuse of Blackburn Rovers FC striker Benni McCarthy.”

Mijailovic is now facing missing the rest of the group games and has until Monday to appeal against the ban.