By RYAN TOLMICH

UEFA showed its commitment to combating racism once again Tuesday by punishing the new head of Italian soccer.

The federation announced on Tuesday that they have suspended Italian Football Federation president Carlo Tavecchio for six months for making racist comments regarding players in Serie A. As part of the punishment, Tavecchio will miss out on the next UEFA Congress, set to be held in March.

The 71-year-old has accepted the punishment and, according to UEFA, will “launch a special initiative in Italy in favor of integration.”

Tavecchio was elected president of the Italian Football Federation in August, just one month after becoming caught in controversy surrounding the comments that led to Tuesday’s suspension.

Here are some more of Tuesday afternoon’s news and notes:

VIDAL FINED FOR SPENDING NIGHT OUT BEFORE ROMA CLASH

While the life of a professional soccer play can be lavish, Juventus has sent midfielder Arturo Vidal a message of the consequences that come with letting off-the-field fun effect on-the-field play.

The midfielder was reportedly fined $126,000 for partying into the morning just days before the game and subsequently missing out on the start of training. Vidal was also benched for Juve’s crucial clash with Roma over the weekend, which the reigning champions won 3-2.

Football Italia states that the fine is meant to be “proportional to the disappointment felt by the club,” and that the midfielder has pushed Juve brass “to the to the limit.”

Vidal had been linked to a move away from Italy over the summer, with Manchester United rumored to be one of the player’s biggest suitors.

SCHNEIDERLIN HAPPY AT SOUTHAMPTON DESPITE PREVIOUS FRUSTRATIONS

After seeing club mainstays Adam Lallana, Dejan Lovren, Rickie Lambert, and Luke Shaw sold over the summer, Morgan Schneiderlin, begrudgingly, was left as the odd man out.

However, the French midfielder, who stated that the club treated him “like cattle,” is now happy to remain with the Saints, which he credits to the encouragement he has received from the club’s supporters.

“I played against Liverpool at Anfield and all the Southampton fans applauded me and chanted my name,” Schneiderlin said. “It was so heart-warming. I knew then I would spend the whole season at Southampton.

“Maybe now we will achieve something amazing here. Champions League qualification would be fantastic. I hope to play in the Champions League one day, of course. I want to play every three days. But why not play in the Champions League with Southampton?”

QUICK KICKS

Bayern Munich backup goalkeeper Pepe Reina will miss several weeks with a calf injury suffered during a friendly. (REPORT)

Julian Draxler is unlikely to be available for Germany to face Poland on Saturday as he’s suffering from the flu. (REPORT)

Brazil will face Turkey on Nov. 12 in Istanbul in an international friendly. (REPORT)

Gianluca Rocchi, the referee for the controversial 3-2 Juventus victory over Roma, won’t officiate a match until November. (REPORT)

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What do you think of these reports? What do you think of Tavecchio’s suspension? Do you see Vidal remaining at Juventus? How do you expect Southampton to perform from this point forward?

Share your thoughts below.