Chris Dehring: "Racism is not part of our culture and we do not expect it to rear its head in the World Cup" © Getty Images

Chris Dehring, the CEO of the World Cup organising committee, has said that racism and obscene gestures will not be tolerated at next year's competition, with stiff penalties awaiting those who do offend.

Dehring, who is also the event's managing director, said in a report on Associated Press that the ICC's anti-racism code is being actioned in the CWC office in Kingston, Jamaica, and will be implemented for the tournament, which runs from March 5 to April 28.

Dehring said: "When you are hosting international fans from 16 teams there is a strong possibility that one or two racists may get into that crowd. We do not have any control over that. Initially we did not fully know what the policy was but now we have gotten hold of it and we are looking at it. We have a copy of it and it is being actioned across the offices. We will be looking at closely and it will be discussed at length."

Dehring was quick to say that he did not expect racism to be a problem at the competition: "Racism is not part of our culture and we do not expect it to rear its head in the World Cup".

However, it is an issue that has come increasingly into the spotlight, after the abuse suffered by South African players on their tour of Australia and, more recently, by England players Monty Panesar and Sajid Mahmood.

The ICC toughened its stance on racism in September, with those fans who offend facing lifetime bans from watching the sport. ICC members who fail to uphold the code can face penalties which include the loss of international-status for the ground where any incidents have occurred.