Players guilty of discrimination face minimum 10-match ban: English FA

The FA have increased the punishment for discrimination after bans ranged from six to 12 games in previous seasons.

Discrimination is defined by the FA as including an express or implied reference to ethnic origin, colour, race, nationality, religion, sex, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation or disability.

The revamped rules also apply to managers and other officials.

"The FA is committed to delivering a game free from discrimination. While significant progress has been made in recent years, discriminatory conduct continues to be a challenge across the game," the FA said on Thursday.

"Enhanced measures are necessary to tackle this abhorrent conduct, and the FA's updated sanction guidelines will now require regulatory commissions to impose a standard suspension of at least 10 matches in these circumstances."

Bans of more than 10 matches for offences involving discrimination can now be imposed if significant aggravating factors are involved.

Any player or official committing a second aggravated breach will face a longer sanction than for their first offence.

Shorter bans, at a minimum of six matches, can be considered when there are mitigating circumstances or an individual admits the breach at the first opportunity.