The Football Association would be considering longer bans for racial abuse in the wake of the John Terry case, but there are growing calls for the formation a new association to represent black players and managers.
David Bernstein, the FA chairman, has warned disillusioned players of the dangers of what he called "fragmentation" but Peter Herbert, who chairs the Society of Black Lawyers, confirmed that provisional talks have been held with players about forming a new organisation.
Bernstein confirmed that the general issue of punishments would be considered by the FA.
"It's on the agenda to look at it again. The FA received a certain, probably limited, degree of criticism for its processes in the Terry thing. We will look at that," The Telegraph quoted Bernstein, as saying.
"Fragmentation would be a shame, but at the same time we have to understand that on moral issues, people have to be able to make their own choices. I hope it doesn't lead to fragmentation, in the interests of everybody," he added.
According to the paper, meanwhile, Herbert said he envisaged a new Black Players' Association still being part of the Professional Footballers' Association in a structure similar to equivalent bodies in other industries such as law, medicine, the police and some American sports.
"It is an infant stage and discussions will go on for many weeks and months. It is something players have been speaking to us about since before the past week. We are just giving advice but I think it will happen," Herbert said.
While Terry was banned for four matches and fined 220,000 pounds by the FA after he was found to have racially abused Anton Ferdinand, there is a feeling among some players that the Cheisea captain's punishment was too leniente given that Liverpool's LuisSurez received an eight-game ban for racially abusing Manchester United's Patrice Evra, the paper said. (ANI)
