UPDATE 1-Soccer-UEFA order referees to stop matches for racism

(Adds detail, background and quotes)

By Darren Ennis

LONDON, June 22 (Reuters) - Referees will stop all matches in which soccer fans shout racist abuse at players, starting with Saturday's European Under-21 Championship final, a senior UEFA official has confirmed.

The announcement follows the launch of a UEFA investigation into racist chanting and a fight in the players' tunnel after England's 2-0 win over Serbia in the European Under-21 Championship on Sunday.

Serbia face the Dutch hosts in Saturday's final in Groningen.

"We have decided to step up our actions and take a zero tolerance approach. Referees have been told to stop any games in which there are racist chants from fans," William Gaillard, special advisor to UEFA president Michel Platini told Reuters in a telephone call.

"We have spoken to the referees and we have the support of the national associations, the clubs and the players' unions for this measure."

Gaillard was speaking after the opening session of the governing body's executive committee in Heerenveen.

UEFA and European governments are also currently drawing up new measures to combat an increase in soccer-related racism and violence across the region in the last year.