Michel Euler / AP

Lilian Thuram holds the French record for national team appearances with 138.

updated 6:05 p.m. ET May 13, 2008

PARIS - Referees should have the power to stop matches if players are subjected to racial abuse at next month’s European Championship, France defender Lilian Thuram said Tuesday.

Players such as Cameroon striker Samuel Eto’o have previously advocated walking off the field if subjected to racist abuse. Thuram, who like Eto’o is black, said referees should be the ones taking decisive action.

“In the European Championship, it would be good for the referees to assume their responsibilities. I think it could be something very important,” Thuram said. “The referee has the right to stop the match if he wants.”

Thuram is expected to be chosen for the tournament in Austria and Switzerland when France coach Raymond Domenech announces his roster Sunday. It would be the seventh straight major international tournament for Thuram, who holds the French record with 138 national team appearances.

The FC Barcelona defender was speaking at a news conference for the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance in Paris, which was launching its “Unite against racism” initiative campaign ahead of Euro 2008.

Thuram, who moved to France from Guadeloupe as a young child, said he fears racism in soccer stadiums is increasing.

“It’s true that these last few years we are witnessing more and more problems in football,” Thuram said. “As long as there isn’t an in-depth education about racism, things will not change.”

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