FIFA president Gianni Infantino has now confirmed the world referees will have the power to abandon matches at the World Cup if there are incidents of racism.
Russia will host the tournament this year and there have been concerns over how fans will be treated due to historic problems of racial abuse within football in the country.
England defender Danny Rose revealed earlier this week that his family will not travel to Russia for the tournament over fears that they would be subject to abuse.
According to Infantino, “I wouldn’t say that we are concerned about discrimination, human rights and security but we take them very seriously,We have taken appropriate measure in the preparation process.
“We will have clear procedures in place, including a three-step process for referees who can stop, suspend or even abandon a match in case of discrimination. We have a monitoring system and then immediate sanctions if something happens.
“We obviously wish that doesn’t happen and everyone has been warned that if it happens there will be serious consequences.”
The world football governing body fined Russia’s football union £22,000 for racist chanting aimed at France players during a game in March.