Walking off pitch now only option left for England over racist abuse
LONDON/NYON: UEFA’s decision to ignore the racist context of the explosion of anger at last month’s European under-21 tie in Serbia prompted an angry backlash in England writes KEIR RADNEDGE.
The Football Association, if it wishes to maintain its resolute position on racism – abroad at least – has been left with little option but to issue clear orders that England players must take the law into their own hands and walk off the pitch, unilaterally, if abused.
The Serb federation has been £65,000 and ordered to play their next under-21 match behind closed doors by a UEFA disciplinary commission after violence at the end of the under-21 qualifying decider in Krusevac in October. A number of players and coaches from both sides were suspended.
FA general secretary Alex Horne said the sanctions did not send a ‘strong enough message’ about racism and that the governing body will appeal against bans for Steven Caulker and Tom Ince.
UEFA president Michel Platini has also been reported as considering an appeal on behalf of the European federation itself.
Lord Herman Ouseley, chairman of the anti-discrimination pressure group Kick It Out, described the decisions as “a bit of a joke” and Rio and Anton Ferdinand, via Twitter, contrasting them with a £81,000 fine and one-match ban handed to Nicklas Bendtner for displaying a betting firm’s logo at Euro 2012.
Horne said: “We are disappointed with the sanctions levied. Racism is unacceptable and should play no part in football. The scenes were deplorable and we do not believe the sanction sends a strong enough message.”
QPR’s Anton Ferdinand – who was at the centre of the John Terry racist comment storm – tweeted: “Wow UEFA ain’t serious with their punishment… So showin a sponsor is worst than racism and fighting!”
Brother Rio of Manchester United added: “UEFA not serious at all on racism. Fines do not work at all. UEFA need to talk to this generation . . . they don’t seem to be up to date on this issue.”
The FA had reported the racist abuse to UEFA plus a number of other incidents. Full-back Danny Rose, who was dismissed after the final whistle for kicking the ball away in anger, complained he had been subjected to monkey chants throughout.
Serbian FA secretary-general, acknowledging the punishments, said: “I believe this is a final warning to all of us who work in Serbian football, because for even the smallest mistake UEFA can now impose the most rigorous punishment.”
UEFA statement
UEFA’s Control and Disciplinary Body orders Serbia’s U21s to play their next UEFA competition home game behind closed doors among sanctions relating to the Serbia-England play-off.
The UEFA Control and Disciplinary Body has ordered the Serbian Under-21 national team to play their next UEFA competition home match behind closed doors, following a number of incidents that occurred during and after the 2013 UEFA European Under-21 Championship play-off second-leg match against England at the Mladost Stadium in Krusevac on 16 October. The Football Association of Serbia (FSS) has also been fined €80,000.
The sanction against the FSS has been imposed for the improper conduct of its supporters, specifically racist behaviour, during and at the end of the match, as well as for the improper conduct of the Serbia players at the end of the game.
The UEFA Control and Disciplinary Body has also decided to:
• Suspend Serbia fitness coach Andreja Milunović from all football-related activities for two years, the second of which is suspended for a probationary period of three years. FIFA will be requested to extend this decision so as to give it a worldwide effect.
• Suspend Serbia assistant coach Predrag Katić from all football-related activities for two years, the final six months of which are suspended for a probationary period of three years. FIFA will be requested to extend this decision so as to give it a worldwide effect.
• Suspend Serbia player Goran Caušić for four UEFA national team competition matches.
• Suspend Serbia player Ognjen Mudrinski for three UEFA national team competition matches.
• Suspend Serbia player Filip Malbašić for three UEFA national team competition matches.
• Suspend Serbia player Nikola Ninković for two UEFA national team competition matches.
The suspensions will apply to the next UEFA national team competition matches for which the players would be eligible.
The disciplinary proceedings opened against Serbia player Aleksandar Pantić are dismissed.
At the same hearing, the UEFA Control and Disciplinary Body decided to dismiss the disciplinary proceedings opened against The Football Association. The FA has received a warning for improper conduct by its team (more than five cautions).
The UEFA Control and Disciplinary Body has also decided to:
• Suspend England player Steven Caulker for two UEFA national team competition matches. This suspension applies to the following games: England v Italy on 5 June 2013 and England v Norway on 8 June 2013.
• Suspend England player Thomas Ince for one UEFA national team competition match. This suspension applies to the following game: England v Italy on 5 June 2013.
An appeal may be lodged against these decisions within three days of the dispatch of the reasoned decision.
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