Dubai, Sep 26 (IANS) The world cricket body has adopted a new amended anti-racism code, which will help them impose a range of punishments on spectators found guilty of racial abuse.

The decision to adopt the code was taken by the chief executive committee (CEC) of the International Cricket Council (ICC) in its two-day meeting, which ended here Monday.

"The adoption of the amended ICC anti-racism code is a further illustration of cricket's zero tolerance towards racism," ICC chief executive officer Malcolm Speed said in a statement.

The amended code will now help the countries to clamp down on racial abuse. A spectator found guilty of racial abuse can now be forced to leave the ground and also be banned for life.

"It has also been a part of our regulations for the past three years through our anti-racism code and the further strengthening of this code is another illustration of our commitment in this area," he said.

India's Solicitor General Goolam Vahanvati reviewed the existing code, which was adopted in 2003, following the allegations of racist abuse made against South African players during their Australia tour this year.

Vahanvati's report recommended amendments to the code, which was reviewed by the CEC and the ICC's executive board in London in July.

A working group comprising chief executive officers of the ICC, Australian and South African cricket boards made further recommendations to the code.

If the countries themselves fail to uphold the code and racist behaviours then they will face penalties ranging from fines to the withdrawal of international status of the concerned venue where the incident took place.

In addition to the new code, the CEC has also agreed on a series of anti-racism policy initiatives like the ICC commissioning an eminent lawyer to draft legislation dealing with racist behaviour during matches.

Adoption of a text message or telephone hotline at venues will also allow spectators to report offensive behaviour in confidence.