SYDNEY, Nov 20: The International Cricket Council (ICC) is seriously considering the option of introducing FIFA-style rules in the gentleman's game to prevent racism from taking root.

According to Herald Sun, Britain's Sports Minister Richard Caborn has called on ICC to consider tougher action against players and spectators indulging in racist comments against their opponents or visiting teams.

Caborn said he is likely to take up the issue with his Australian counterpart, Senator Rod Kemp.

“Authorities have to be at war on this,” Caborn said from India where he is leading a British sports business delegation. “I'm going to be talking to my counterpart in Australia, we've got a little difficulty down there.”

“It's an issue for ICC to deal with, just like FIFA's done in football. In football we've been reasonably successful. We've tackled it in UK through a big campaign that implores people to show a red card to racism,” Caborn said.

Cricket Australia tried to play down significance of taunts directed at English spinner Monty Panesar. “It's very much alleged; certainly we haven't had any official complaint or anything from English team,” Cricket Australia chief James Sutherland said.

“There's no place for racism or racist taunts at our matches. What we were talking about before were racist comments? I don't think there's too much racist about that - but clearly it's something that's going to be monitored closely.”—Agencies