Soccer community reacts to Donald Sterling's lifetime NBA ban

NBA commissioner Adam Silver issued a lifetime ban to LA Clippers owner Donald Sterling in the aftermath of a racism controversy. (Kathy Willens/AP)

Racism continues to be a hot-button issue in soccer, especially in the aftermath of the incident involving Barcelona's Dani Alves in a game at Villarreal this past weekend. With the news of NBA commissioner Adam Silver issuing a lifetime ban to LA Clippers owner Donald Sterling after his recent racist comments, a wide array of soccer players, personalities and fans took to social media and reacted accordingly.

Below is a sampling of how some players -- some who have been subjected to on-field racism, like USA star Jozy Altidore and Ghana's Kevin-Prince Boateng -- and journalists in the soccer community felt about the ruling and Sterling's remarks, including many making the inevitable comparison between the NBA and FIFA, urging FIFA and soccer organizations around the world to react with the same zero-tolerance policy:

NBA boss Silver bans racist owner Sterling for life. FIFA boss Blatter once said players should respond to racist players by shaking hands.
— Subscribe to GrantWahl.com (@GrantWahl) April 29, 2014

MORE: Athletes, celebrities rally around Dani Alves on social media

Adam Silver laying down the law! Saluteee @NBA
— Maurice Edu (@MauriceEdu) April 29, 2014

I think FIFA and UEFA should learn from the NBA on how to deal with racism.
— fabrice muamba (@fmuamba6) April 29, 2014

BANNED FOR LIFE! 👏👏👏 Finally a NBA commissioner that I like.
— Ethan White (@EthanWhite15) April 29, 2014

MORE: Dani Alves hits out at racism in 'backward' Spain

Even the journos at the Allianz talking Donald Sterling. Racism, obviously, a hot topic in soccer world.
— Sam Borden (@SamBorden) April 29, 2014

Credit @NBA and Adam Silver for moving fast and decisively on racism. Stark contrast to Premier League on Suarez, Terry, Anelka cases
— roger bennett (@rogbennett) April 29, 2014

CREDITOR: Villarreal bans banana-throwing fan from stadium permanently

Hope the NBA's tough punishment for Sterling lays a marker for the craven administrators at @FIFA and elsewhere in Europe
— Ishaan Tharoor (@ishaantharoor) April 29, 2014

NBA showing itself to be far tougher than soccer in punishing racism - banning the owner of the LA Clippers for life over racist comments
— Rob Harris (@RobHarris) April 29, 2014

No room 4 racism shame it's still there...Donald sterling #standagainstracism
— Prince Boateng (@KPBofficial) April 26, 2014