After Inter Milan were slapped with a measly €15 000 fine for the racist abuse their fans directed towards Mario Balotelli, Thierry Henry has called for tougher sanctions.

The New York Red Bulls striker says that docking teams points when their fans are racist might be the only way to nip the horrendous problem in the bud.

Speaking to the NBC, Henry said that while it may seem unfair to punish clubs severely when a minority of their fans are savages, it may be the only way to stem racism in football.

"Obviously I'm not in charge of this type of decision but that's the only way because actually you will find that normally fans do care about their team," the former Arsenal, Barcelona and France star said.

"If you do take points away, that can be really massive if you [are fighting relegation] or want to win the title."

Henry says that even the racists in the crowd are there primarily to support their favourite teams, hence docking the teams points may serve as a form of deterrent to the unthinking cretins who continue to be a blight upon the sport.

"It's hard but, if I tell you that if you don't behave well your team might lose the game because of your behaviour, you might stop," Henry said.

"I'm not saying that you're going to stop but you might stop because, at the end of the day, we are all there for the team and the club."