MANCHESTER, England, April 10 (Reuters) – European soccer governing body UEFA are planning to introduce tough new sanctions to combat racism with players found guilty of racist offences banned for a minimum of 10 matches, UEFA general secretary Gianni Infantino said on Wednesday.

Infantino also said there would be partial closure of stadiums for a first incident of racist abuse by fans and a full closure for a second offence plus far tougher financial penalties.

LONDON (Reuters) – The English FA will tell FIFA they have found no evidence of racist chanting by their fans at last month’s World Cup qualifier against San Marino, Adrian Bevington, managing director of Club England, said on Monday.

The FA began an inquiry following the match on March 22 after Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) contacted world soccer’s ruling body citing English fans for singing a racist song aimed at brothers Rio and Anton Ferdinand.

LONDON, April 8 (Reuters) – The English FA will tell FIFA they have found no evidence of racist chanting by their fans at last month’s World Cup qualifier against San Marino, Adrian Bevington, managing director of Club England, said on Monday.

The FA began an inquiry following the match on March 22 after Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) contacted world soccer’s ruling body citing English fans for singing a racist song aimed at brothers Rio and Anton Ferdinand.

LONDON, April 8 (Reuters) – Former England and Southampton forward Matt Le Tissier could make his comeback on Sunday, more than a decade after hanging up his boots, to help non-league side Guernsey FC get through a fixture logjam.

The 44-year-old, now a television pundit, was born on the Channel Island of Guernsey and is the honorary president of the club, while his brother Mark is a director.

LONDON (Reuters) – Championship leaders Cardiff City took another step towards the Premier League when they battled to a 0-0 draw in an end-to-end match at third-placed Watford on Saturday.

Cardiff moved on to 79 points with six games to play in England’s second tier, five clear of second-placed Hull City who were the only one of the top six to win on Saturday.

LONDON, April 6 (Reuters) – Championship leaders Cardiff City took another step towards the Premier League when they battled to a 0-0 draw in an end-to-end match at third-placed Watford on Saturday.

Cardiff moved on to 79 points with six games to play in England’s second tier, five clear of second-placed Hull City who were the only one of the top six to win on Saturday.

LONDON (Reuters) – Arsenal’s push for a place in the Champions League for a 16th successive season continued on Saturday when two Tomas Rosicky goals gave them a 2-1 win at West Bromwich Albion and lifted them to fourth in the Premier League table.

Aston Villa eased their relegation worries by winning 3-1 at Stoke City and Southampton virtually guaranteed their safety with a 2-0 victory at Reading who look doomed.

LONDON, April 6 (Reuters) – Arsenal’s push for a place in the Champions League for a 16th successive season continued on Saturday when two Tomas Rosicky goals gave them a 2-1 win at West Bromwich Albion and lifted them to fourth in the Premier League table.

Aston Villa eased their relegation worries by winning 3-1 at Stoke City and Southampton virtually guaranteed their safety with a 2-0 victory at Reading who look doomed.

LONDON, April 6 (Reuters) – Arsenal climbed back into the Premier League’s top four for the first time since December when they won 2-1 at West Bromwich Albion thanks to two goals from Tomas Rosicky despite having defender Per Mertesacker sent off on Saturday.

The victory moved Arsenal on to 56 points, one more than Chelsea, who slipped back to fifth, at least until they play Sunderland at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

LONDON (Reuters) – Queens Park Rangers manager Harry Redknapp once signed Paolo Di Canio as a player but will hope his friend makes a losing start to his managerial reign at struggling Sunderland as the battle to avoid Premier League relegation hots up.

Italian Di Canio, who enjoyed a great relationship with Redknapp at West Ham United between 1999 and 2001, could deliver a huge blow to his old boss’s chances of keeping QPR up if he can inspire Sunderland to a surprise win at Chelsea and Rangers lose at home to Wigan Athletic.