Boateng joins FIFA's anti-racism task force

AC Milan midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng, who led teammates off the field in protest at being abused by fans in January, has joined FIFA's anti-racism task force.

Boateng put the racism struggle in football into sharp focus with his walk-off during a friendly that initially drew criticism from FIFA President Sepp Blatter, who said players mustn't run away from problems.

But Blatter has since defended the protest, and Boateng has accepted an invitation to join the new task force during a meeting at FIFA headquarters in Zurich on Friday.

Blatter wants teams whose fans are guilty of racist abuse to be deducted points or even banned from competitions, saying ''it's the only way to threaten and stop those that create trouble.''

FIFA Vice President Jeffrey Webb heads the task force.