Rio Ferdinand's call for tougher action over racism reflects a general frustration that the matter is not being tackled vigorously enough abroad.
Incidents of players being racially abused while playing overseas have been a recurring problem in recent years but each time those guilty have not been punished as heavily as some would like.
Governing bodies FIFA and UEFA insist they are determined to clamp down on racism but the fines they have issued to national bodies in response to incidents have not sent out the strongest messages.
Ferdinand is merely voicing the opinion of many within the game who believe fines are not a sufficient deterrent when he calls for competition points to be deducted. There have also been demands from others for games to be played behind closed doors.
Ferdinand was speaking with reference to the recent decision of FIFA to fine the Croatian Football Association #14,920 after Emile Heskey was racially abused during last month's World Cup qualifier in Zagreb.
Heskey has been a victim of such incidents before, and was most notably targeted during an a Euro 2004 qualifier against Slovakia in Bratislava six years ago.
He and Ashley Cole were both subjected to abusive chants and monkey noises which the striker, then with Liverpool, described at the time as the worst he had ever experienced.
The £27,000 fine handed to the Slovakian FA was admittedly a significant sum to such a small body, and they expressed sincere regret, but the £44,750 issued to their Spanish counterparts in 2004 was considered, in relative terms, piffling.
The Spanish FA were hit with the fine after Cole and Shaun Wright-Phillips were loudly and repeatedly abused during an England friendly in Madrid.
It was a punishment that drew widespread criticism for its leniency and, with other incidents coming to light, there is a general feeling that Spain is not getting to grips with what is a clear problem in its society.
Heskey has chosen not to make a fuss about the latest incident but team-mate Ferdinand has taken up the fight on his behalf.
Coming just months after Croatia were fined almost £10,000 for fans' racist behaviour during Euro 2008, calls are growing for more decisive action.
