During Arsenal's loss in Valencia earlier in the spring, our black players were subjected to racial abuse from the home fans. It's far from uncommon in away matches in Europe, and neither is it uncommon for Arsenal people to condemn it. But this time the Arsenal captain also commented on UEFA's lack of action, saying "They keep saying they will do something about it but all they are doing is fining clubs 2,000 or 3,000 pounds and nothing really happens."

At the same time as fining Vieira they have handed Valencia a fine of £9,250 for the abuse in question. That's a fine for a big club failing to prevent racist abuse which is only 4 times what they've fined an individual for being a bit OTT in his verbal reaction to that abuse. Bizarre. It doesn't exactly contradict Vieira's implication regarding UEFA's misplaced priorities, does it?

The authorities appear to keep missing opportunities to tackle the problem, in that they put the onus for controlling fans onto clubs and countries rather than taking responsibility themselves. One has to reserve judgement for now but, for example, it's hard to see how this week's fine for the FA (in response to England fans' abuse of the visiting Turks last month) will in itself dissuade the unsavoury element of England's support. Let's hope (and I'm speaking as an England fan now) that they follow through with their threat of more serious action should the problem continue. It is certainly a good idea to punish the FA or Valencia, to make them take the problem a bit more seriously. But at the same time it is not reasonable to expect the FA to punish England, or England's fans, en masse. Only UEFA or FIFA can do that.

UEFA could so easily have just slapped Vieira's wrist, and said that while they reject his comments they understand the anger and frustration that caused those comments. Fining him sends out the wrong message.