（CNN） －－ It is a strong punishment that could signal a change in FIFA's approach to tackling one of soccer's most ugly features －－ racism.
Hungary and Bulgaria will play their next World Cup qualifying matches behind closed doors after soccer's world governing body sanctioned both countries for racist incidents involving their supporters.
FIFA said a group of Hungary fans had displayed offensive symbols and chanted anti-Semitic songs during a friendly with Israel in August while Denmark's Patrick Mtiliga was subject to racist abuse from Bulgaria fans during a match in October.
A spokesman from FIFA told CNN it is the first time the governing body has barred fans from attending a match due to discrimination issues.