By Andrew Warshaw
October 22 – Jim Boyce, Britain’s FIFA vice-president, has urged UEFA to take the strongest possible action against Serbia as a result of last week’s ugly scenes of racism and provocation in a European under-21 international against England.
The Football Association of Serbia (FSS) has been charged with racist chanting by fans and both countries have been charged over the behaviour of their players in Kruševac.
Serbia, with a history of crowd misdemeanours, has developed a reputation as one of the bad boys of European football and UEFA’s nine-man control and disciplinary panel will decide on what sanctions to impose on November 22.
Boyce says token fines, the usual penalty meted out by Europe’s governing body for racism, is simply not enough this time.
“There’s got to be very serious action taken, especially against the Serbian FA”, Boyce insisted.
“It needs to be a stadium ban now.
“There may even be a situation where Serbia aren’t allowed to play in one of the future competitions.”
England defender Danny Rose claims he was subjected to racist chanting and struck by two stones during the 2013 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship playoff match, which England won 1-0 for a 2-0 aggregate victory.
Rose (pictured below, left) was sent off after kicking the ball away in disgust after the final whistle.
He was jostled by Serbian players as he left the pitch, sparking a melee involving England staff and members of the Serbia coaching team.
Boyce, not averse to speaking his mind, came down squarely against the hosts.
“This is not the first time that Serbia have had major problems and as someone who completely condemns racism in any shape or form, I think this time UEFA have to act and they have to act very strongly,” he said.
“It’s come to a stage where to fine people or to give associations large fines, it doesn’t seem to work.
“The morons who cause these problems really don’t seem to care about money that has to be paid out by clubs or associations.
“There’s got to be very serious action taken, especially against the Serbian FA.”
Boyce described as “absolutely incredible” Serbia’s claim that no racism took place.
“How someone can make statements like that beggars belief,” he said.
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