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Ferdinand wants bans for racists

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand wants "bans and massive fines" to be imposed on racist players.

Ferdinand's brother, the West Ham defender Anton Ferdinand, recently complained of racist abuse during an England Under-21 game against Germany.

And Rio Ferdinand told BBC Radio Five Live Sport: "People need to be hung out to dry. There needs to be nowhere they can have a safe haven.

"Until the punishment is severe, people will do it and get away with it."

Interview: Man Utd's Rio Ferdinand

He added: "The powers that be have a part to play.

"Has anything happened since that England Under-21 game?

"If it was something silly like someone pulling shirt over their heads to celebrate a goal I am sure Fifa president Sepp Blatter would have been in the media somewhere talking about it.

"Up until now I have not heard anything said."

Blackburn striker Benni McCarthy claimed he was racially abused by Wisla Krakow's Serbian defender Nikola Mijailovic in last Thursday's Uefa Cup tie.