Nyon, Switzerland - Europe's governing football body UEFA on Tuesday called for tough action against racism in football stadiums and said they would not rule out abandoning matches.

"It is our wish that matches are interrupted for ten minutes if there are racist chants in a stadium. There should also be stadium announcements. If the chants continue the game should be abandoned," UEFA President Michel Platini said.

"We need to be brave when there is racism on the terraces. That is UEFA's brief."

Givrins, Switzerland - Former Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher has called off a planned start this weekend in the German superbike series, saying he was still feeling the effects of a crash two months ago.

The record seven-time F1 champion was due to compete in the first race of the German IDM series at the Lausitzring in eastern Germany.

"Unfortunately I have had to call it off because I am not yet ready," he told German Press Agency dpa in Givrins, Switzerland.

Zurich  - Credit Suisse said Tuesday it would compensate more clients who invested in Lehman Brothers' financial products, which have lost all their value since the investment bank's collapse last September.

A deal was reached with the Swiss consumer group Federation Romande des Consommateurs for clients who had assets up to 500,000 Swiss francs (427,758 dollars) as of August 31 last year and had invested over 20 per cent of those assets in capital-protected Lehman products.

Geneva  - Following opening events dominated by boycotts, walkouts and a divisive speech by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the United Nations conference against racism began its second day Tuesday, trying to refocus on the core issues.

Government officials and diplomats from various countries continued the delivery of their statements on progress accomplished since the first racism conference in 2001 in Durban, South Africa.

Geneva - The United Nations Durban Review Conference on racism began Monday in Geneva amid controversy and the notable absence of several Western states.

The United States, Germany, Canada, Italy, New Zealand and other countries have boycotted the conference saying the draft declaration prepared was unacceptable as it included vague attempts to limit free speech regarding criticism of religion, and concern that Israel might be singled out.

Nyon, Switzerland  - Macedonian football club FK Podeba was banned for eight years from European events