UEFA values under scrutiny after Serbs and FA are charged over u-21 explosion
NYON: European federation UEFA, which has too often appeared to prioritise money above morality, has charged both the Serb and English football authorities over the explosive under-21 tie in Krusevac on Tuesday writes KEIR RADNEDGE.
Both have been charged over the behaviour of their players while the Serbs have been charged with alleged racist chanting by fans.
UK Prime Minister David Cameron has said he was “appalled” at the ugly scenes at the end of the match which merely extended the sad record of Serb supporters.
The Government has thrown full support behind the FA’s complaint of racist taunts. Sports Minister Hugh Robertson has written to UEFA president Michel Platini, urging an investigation.
He wrote:: “The scenes at the end of the game last night were disgraceful. Racism in any form is unacceptable and must be stamped out. We would expect tough sanctions from UEFA on anyone found guilty of racist abuse.”
England’s black defender Danny Rose was shown a second yellow card after the final whistle for kicking the ball away while and thus red.
He complained later of racist abuse, including monkey chants, all through the Euro 2013 play-off and said he was also hit by missiles thrown from the crowd.
Denials
The Tottenham defender, on loan at Sunderland, was sent off after the final whistle for kicking a ball in anger as scuffles broke out involving Serbian supporters, players and officials.
The Serbian FA has denied any form of racism occurred and said Rose behaved in an “inappropriate, unsportsmanlike and vulgar manner” towards their fans.
Uefa said: “Regarding alleged racist chanting, Uefa will instigate proceedings against the FSS over the misconduct of their supporters during and at the end of the match.
“Proceedings will also be instigated against the FSS for the improper conduct of the Serbia players at the end of the match. Uefa will also commence proceedings against the FA for the improper conduct of the England players at the end of the match.”
UEFA once fined the then Arsenal midfielder Patrick Vieira for a public criticism that the federation was not firm enough in its actions against racist abuse.
During Euro 2012 UEFA fined Denmark’s Nicklas Bendtner £80,000 and banned him for one game for displaying sponsored underwear at the game against Portugal . . . after earlier fining Porto £16,700 for their fans’ racist abuse of Manchester City’s Mario Balotelli during a Europa League tie.
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