England and Serbia charged after post-match melee
England and Serbia are both facing disciplinary action from UEFA after the altercation that followed England’s victory over Serbia in a European U-21 Championships play-off on Tuesday, the BBC has reported.
The Serbian FA has been charged over the alleged racist chanting from spectators as well as for failing to control their players after the final whistle, the same charge that has been levelled against the Football Association.
Scuffles broke out between players and staff of both sides after the final whistle of a match England won by a single goal, scored in the dying seconds by Connor Wickham after Serbia pushed their goalkeeper forward for a corner. England held a one-goal lead from the first leg.
As the England players celebrated the goal they were pelted with missiles from the stands while players and management from both sides became embroiled in confrontations that quickly turned physical.
England defender Danny Rose was sent off after the final whistle for kicking a ball into the crowd, with Rose later claiming to have been racially abused before, during and after the match.
The Serbian FA however released a statement on Wednesday that denied any racist chanting had taken place, despite the existence of video evidence that would point to the contrary, accusing Rose of “inappropriate, unsportsmanlike and vulgar” behaviour.
In reply, Alex Horne of the FA said: “What occurred is inexcusable and not acceptable. We are making a formal complaint to UEFA. We call on UEFA to take the strongest possible action against the Serbian FA, their supporters and anyone found guilty of being involved in the numerous instances of violence and abuse.”
See what the expert tipsters are tipping on OLBG
Related Articles
|