The Football Association and the Professional Footballers' Association have reportedly confirmed that players found guilty of using racist language could get an automatic five-match ban.

Racism has been a hot topic within the game over the last year and the English governing body is believed to be taking stronger action following the high-profile cases involving Chelsea captain John Terry and Liverpool striker Luis Suarez.

Both cases were drawn-out affairs and it is believed that the FA and the PFA have come to an agreement to hit players with a minimum automatic ban of five games if they are guilty of racism on the pitch, according to Sky Sports News.

Terry was issued with a four-match ban for racially abusing Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand, while Suarez was suspended for eight games for the same charge involving Manchester United defender Patrice Evra.