NYON, Oct 26 (SW) - UEFA today handed down a ban of five European games for Wisla Krakow defender Nikola Mijailovic for his racist taunts toward Blackburn Rovers striker Benni McCarthy.

Mijailovic was accused of the abuse during their UEFA Cup match last Thursday in Poland by both the player, Blackburn, and the match referee. The 24-year-old has an appeal option open until Monday.

The Football Association lauded UEFA for how quickly they responded to the report and handed down the penalty, and Blackburn also applauded the decision to suspend Mijailovic.

The Polish side have three more UEFA Cup group games, and if they are eliminated, the ban will carry over to subsequent seasons.