The Football Association (FA) is to increase the minimum punishment for discriminatory behaviour to 10 matches, effective from the start of the new season. The move aims to address what the FA describes as a continuing challenge across the game.
New rules for aggravated breaches
Under the updated guidelines, players and other football participants found guilty of an aggravated breach of the FA’s disciplinary rules on improper conduct will face a standard suspension of at least 10 matches. Currently, the minimum ban for such offences is six matches. The changes apply to actions that include discriminatory behaviour against any protected characteristics.
Across the 2025-26 season, 10 individuals were found guilty of aggravated breaches, with punishments ranging from six to nine matches, as decided by independent Regulatory Commissions. Under the new rules, a ban of fewer than 10 matches will only be possible if sufficient mitigating factors are presented and the individual pleads guilty to the charge.
Recent case highlights need for change
One notable case involved Preston North End’s Milutin Osmajic, who was found to have made racist remarks to Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri during a Championship match. Osmajic denied the remarks but received a nine-match ban and a minimum fine of £20,000. The FA’s decision to raise the minimum ban reflects growing concern that player behaviour in professional football has trickled down to grassroots levels, exacerbating problems.
“We are committed to delivering a game free from discrimination. While significant progress has been made in recent years, discriminatory conduct continues to be a challenge across the game,” the FA said in a statement. “Enhanced measures are necessary to tackle this abhorrent conduct, and our updated sanction guidelines will now require regulatory commissions to impose a standard suspension of at least 10 matches in these circumstances.”
Flexibility and second offences
The new rules allow some flexibility. For aggravated breaches committed “in writing only or via any communication device” — such as online comments — a punishment as low as three matches could be applied if mitigating factors are accepted. However, individuals found to have committed a second offence could face bans of over a year.
