PLAYERS found guilty of racism should face the same penalties as match-fixers and dopers, says West Indies captain Jason Holder.

While International Cricket Council (ICC) rules allow for a life ban for on-pitch racist abuse, culprits are rarely punished to that extent.

“I don’t think the penalty for doping or corruption should be any different for racism,” Holder told BBC Sport.

“If we’ve got issues within our sport, we must deal with them equally.”

Under the ICC’s anti-racism policy, a first offence is usually punished with between four and eight suspension points. Two suspension points equate to a ban for one Test or two one-day internationals or two T20 international matches.

Former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed missed two one-day internationals and two Twenty20 matches as punishment for a racist remark to South Africa all-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo in 2019.

Holder cited the experience of England’s Jofra Archer, who has been a target of racial remarks from the crowd both in home and away Tests, and team-mate Moeen Ali, who it is believed was targeted by India fans in a 2014 match because of his Pakistani background.

Holder, whose team will take on England in a behind-closed-doors three-Test series starting on July 8 in Southampton, said that he believed that each international meeting could be preceded by reminders to both teams of their responsibilities around race.“In addition to having anti-doping briefings and anti-corruption briefings, maybe we should have an anti-racism feature before we start a series,” he added.

“My message is more education needs to go around it.

“I’ve not experienced any racial abuse first-hand but have heard or seen a few things around it. It’s something you just can’t stand for.” (BBC Sport)