Just in: West Ham chief reacts as FIFA President suggests point deduction for clubs over issues of racial abuse by fans…

West Ham chief Karren Brady believes points deductions in football are a “poisonous” and “dangerous” punishment after Gianni Infantino’s recent suggestion.

The FIFA President wants points deductions handed out for racial incidents in stadiums after AC Milan walked off the pitch following abuse to goalkeeper Mike Maignan against Udinese.

But after Everton were handed a point deduction for FFP charges, Nottingham Forest were charged and Manchester City face a host of charges also, Brady wrote in her column for The Sun that it could be “dangerous”.

“Serious action must be taken against deluded football match attenders who attack players with racial slurs,” she wrote.

“I would support almost any sanction to prevent it but I do worry the about the method put forward by Fifa president Gianni Infantino, who is preparing the ground for deducting points from any club whose fans brandish racial insults.

“Maybe not a sledgehammer this but certainly a poisonous substance. Dabbling with reducing points is dangerous.

“Nottingham Forest and Everton (again) are faced with similar actions and Manchester City might too to if, finally, the authorities budge themselves to move on what is said to be more than 100 cases of mysterious something-or-other offences.”

Weird

Points deductions for racial abuse are absolutely the way forward because it’s the only way stupid fans will be able to understand the consequences of their actions.

But there is a big argument that point deductions for financial charges are too far, because it punishes the fans who have absolutely nothing to do with the decision making.

Fines also make no sense because it would mean top clubs like Man City with their unlimited wealth can just do anything they want and pay their way out of a punishment.

It’s a weird position because the punishment has to fit the crime, and Brady certainly has a point that points deductions can be a dangerous route to go down because if Everton get a 10-point penalty for one charge, what will Man City get for 115 charges?

It’s a sticky situation but Brady’s position is clearly very strong on this and that likely reflects on how West Ham will feel in any sort of vote in the future.