The Professional Footballers’ Association in England say they will back proposals for a minimum five-match ban for racist abuse, one of a number of proposals being discussed by the game’s ruling bodies, but has yet to be agreed by the English FA.

Chelsea’s John Terry was given a four-match ban for racially abusing Anton Ferdinand, while Liverpool’s Luis Suarez received an eight-match suspension for his abuse of Patrice Evra.

The PFA said: “The PFA have agreed proposals with FA that ‘racist abuse’ should carry a minimum five-match ban.” PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor said: “We want there to be some consistency and to illustrate the seriousness of our approach to this issue.”