Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier could order his players off the pitch if they are subjected to racist abuse during Tuesday's Champions League game against Spartak Moscow.
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The Frenchman said he would not be afraid to take "radical action" should it be required.
We know we'll get some racist abuse and I am concerned, not only for my team but for football in general
And he confirmed that he would not allow the prospect of unsavoury crowd behaviour to dictate his team selection for the Group B match.
In a frank exchange with reporters gathered in Moscow, Houllier expressed his concern about racist chants.
"We have to do something," he said.
"The best way to counter it [racism in football] is by beating their team, but I know what I would be prepared to do if one day it goes too far, and it would surprise people."
Liverpool's black players Emile Heskey and Djimi Traore have been singled out for abuse during Liverpool's European campaign.
And Houllier is widely reported to have said in private that he is ready to withdraw his players to make a stand against racism.
"We know we'll get some racist abuse and I am concerned, not only for my team but for football in general, because it's creeping back into the game.
"We handled it in the past and we'll handle it again in a very strong and dignified way, but I will not ignore the problem.
"We have to do something to eradicate the problem now."
Heskey, who has been struggling with a groin injury, is expected to start with Traore against Spartak Moscow. | 
