A black players' association would take "more radical" steps towards combating racism within football, according to a lawyer.
Peter Herbert, who chairs the Society of Black Lawyers, said discussions about the formation of such an organisation - with a working title of the Black Players' Association - were still at an early stage.
Herbert revealed talks had come about by chance a fortnight ago following a seminar which some black players attended, when it became apparent a number of people within the game had been angered following incidents which they believed had been inadequately handled.
Both Luis Suarez and John Terry were banned by the Football Association for racial abuse - although the latter was cleared in a magistrates' court - while some England Under-21 players complained of abuse in Serbia.
Football Association chairman David Bernstein revealed today that sanctions for racial abuse will be reviewed, with Terry's punishment of a four-game ban and a £220,000 fine viewed by many as too light - especially compared to Liverpool's Suarez who was banned for eight games following his case involving Patrice Evra.
There are those who want the agenda to be far more hard-hitting than the Kick It Out campaign which has commanded attention in recent days following the decision of a number of players not to wear their T-shirts at the weekend.
Herbert told Press Association Sport: "I think it would be a bit more radical (than Kick It Out).
"The fact we are having this conversation (shows) the campaign has not achieved what it should have achieved.
"It's no criticism of what they've done, we work with them, we know the people involved but it needs to be taken to the next level.
"I think the incidents such as happened in Serbia - they need to rattle a few cages in the Serbian government and that is not going to be happening at the moment.
"UEFA has given a derisory fine for these incidents (in the past).
"And that has to be put in the international criminal law context - what that means for the Serbian government seeking to get in the EU.
"That is an extreme example but also to understand hate crime in any form is unacceptable.
"Things like that...have got us to a place where we are aware that many black players and people in the industry are seriously unhappy and are quite angry and frustrated and disgusted by what is going on and there has to be a new way of doing things."
There is no fixed sanction for racism under FA rules - independent disciplinary commissioners work on the basis of doubling sanctions if there is an "aggravating factor" such as racial abuse.
Asked about whether the FA would look again at the tariff for sanctions, Bernstein told a news conference at Wembley Stadium: "It's on the agenda to look at it again.
"The FA received a certain, probably limited degree of criticism for its processes in the Terry thing. We will look at that.
"I think the tariffs will need looking at but given the existing scenarios and given other punishments elsewhere actually the commission got it pretty much right."
Jason Roberts and Rio Ferdinand were prominent among those refusing to wear Kick It Out T-shirts and while some Premier League players are involved in talks with Herbert, according to the lawyer, he refused to reveal their identities.
Roberts tonight said he was not involved in the talks, writing on Twitter: "I can confirm that I have not been involved in any talks over a separate Black Players Union. I will share my views very soon!"
The FA had earlier called on disenchanted players not to form a breakaway union, as had the Professional Footballers' Association.
FA chairman Bernstein came to the defence of anti-discrimination body Kick It Out.
Herbert, however, believes a range of groups can work together, saying: "For the FA there is nothing to fear about this type of decision - you need to embrace it.
"What has happened to date hasn't worked.
"You are all moving on together.
"The T-shirt isn't the issue - it is why people are not wearing the T-shirt.
"They (the PFA) need to realise what is threatening to them is nothing to what black players feel when they go in the pitch in Serbia.
"If they for one day have the experience of being a black person in the UK or on a football pitch maybe somewhere else they will understand the pain and anguish people go through."
Neither does the prospect of any adverse reaction hold any fear.
"I don't think there needs to be any backlash - what backlash do you need?" Herbert said.
"The backlash thing, we just laugh.
"But really we embrace that as well, it's part of the struggle.
"We are all adult people, in a multi-million pound industry, there is a lot to be gained and a lot to be lost and its house is not in order."
Update:
Hello, regular commenting on Orange News and Sport pages closes on Thursday 30 May 2013. We will continue to provide a commenting facility on major news and sport events on orangeworld.co.uk. Contact us via http://oran.ge/OWfeedback if you have any further questions. Thanks.
what do you think?
Pat TWOMEY
I propose a seperatist movement, so homosexually enhanced fellas and ladiez (ah, make that two seperate movements) can come out and not be subject to what they are now despite the very very very very very limited lip service paid to it to date. More Gaylords in football, I say. And, how about a movement for fellas and ladiez who wear turbans, whatever their colour, why has this not happened before now, disgraceful, it should not be allowed to happen in today's multicultural society. They should be allowed the same protections afforded to their non-turban wearing colleagues when clearing their lines under the lofted pass, with a firm yet well directed header towards the touchline, unhindered by guffaws;) Keep Kicking Hypocrisy Out, I say, and my other campaign will be getting underway soon.... KOCS (Kick Out (the) Chancers (and) Stirrers :) You know it makes sense.
Neil C
Hang on a minute, how can you have a 'Black' Association. If we can't use the word 'Black' as in board anymore how can they. This is going to bubble up to one hell of a show, why would you want to use the word 'struggle'. Don't see many coloured players struggling 25k, 50k, 100k a week, maybe struggling on what car or house to buy next or maybe the jeans around the a r s e s (pull them up).
Rob Shaw
That's one way to kick discrimination and lack of equality out of football, form a black players union......
Mark Ames
5:40pm on 23/10/2012
There is always some chancer out to make a name for them self this what a great way of gaining publicity for the society of black lawyers than getting involved in the football industry & if it leads to gaining some biz from wealthy black players @ the same time what a bonus eh? & will there be the setting up of a white footballers only union?.