By Andrew Warshaw
October 31 – Serbian police have filed criminal charges against 12 players, fans and officials, including three from England, following last month’s explosive European under-21 playoff encounter that was marred by allegations of racism and a post-match melee.
“Charges have been pressed against five Serbia players and an assistant coach, two England players and an assistant coach as well as three fans,” said the Serbian Interior Ministry.
“They have been charged with violent conduct at a public sports event.”
A brawl involving players and staff from both sides broke out after the match in Kruševac, which England won 1-0 to seal a 2-0 aggregate victory and reach next year’s finals in Israel.
England left back Danny Rose was sent off after the final whistle for throwing the ball away in disgust, claiming he was racially abused by the home fans before and during the match.
The Football Association of Serbia (FSS) denied the racism charges and accused Rose (pictured below, left) of exaggerating.
UEFA has charged both teams over the conduct of players and its Disciplinary Committee will announce its verdict on November 22.
UEFA President Michel Platini said last week that Serbia, which has been in trouble before with European authorities, could face tough sanctions if found guilty of racism.
“We will get the report from the delegates and the report from the officials – we have television footage and the Disciplinary Committee will deal with it,” Platini told reporters.
The English Football Association (FA), which made a formal protest to UEFA following the match, said it had not received any formal notification of any charges filed by the Serbian authorities.
“We have not been made aware of any of the names of individuals connected with these charges and we therefore await further details and formal communication on these matters,” a statement said.
“The FA reiterates its position of full support for all players and staff caught up in the appalling scenes in Serbia two weeks ago.
The FSS, in what many neutrals perceived as a damage limitation exercise, have already punished four of their own for their part in the fracas.
Ognjen Mudrinski and Nikola Ninković (pictured above, third right), who clashed with Rose as the fullback attempted to leave the pitch, were given one-year suspensions, while coaches Srđan Maksimović and Andreja Milutinović were handed two-year bans.
It is understood that officials at the FA are stunned by the fresh charges made by the Serbs against English players and officials, which could open up a potential legal can of worms if they are ultimately found guilty by the local courts and handed prison sentences.
The United Kingdom currently has an extradition agreement with Serbia, but the Serbian authorities would have to make a request to the British Home Secretary in the first instance.
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