By Andrew Warshaw
November 22 – English football authorities have made final representations to UEFA over the racist chanting that marred the recent European under-21 play-off against Serbia.
Football Association (FA) chairman David Bernstein and Sports Minister Hugh Robertson – who has been vociferous in his condemnation of what went on in Kruševac – met UEFA President Michel Platini at UEFA headquarters on Tuesday (November 20), with today’s disciplinary hearing over the racism charges understood to be among the topics discussed.
“I had a meeting with Michel Platini and there was a wide agenda,” Bernstein told reporters.
“I think UEFA understand our position and that there is a degree of sympathy from Platini but I don’t want to say anything more than that.”
England defender Danny Rose was sent off after the final whistle for kicking the ball away in disgust at the abuse he said he was receiving while there was an ugly melee among coaches and officials from both sides.
The Football Association of Serbia (FSS) later blamed Rose (pictured above, right) for “inappropriate, unsportsmanlike and vulgar” behaviour and although the English FA has also been charged, it is expected it will receive a far lighter sentence if any.
Platini is not a member of the UEFA panel which will review the evidence and announce the sanctions but has constantly been at pains to stress zero tolerance to racism.
Gordon Taylor, head of England’s Professional Football Association, said the Serbs – who have had a recent history of fan unruliness – had to be given more than a slap on the wrist.
“If the Serbian FA are found guilty then we would want UEFA to take the strongest possible action,” he told Press Association.
“Everybody was shocked by the racist chanting at that match and there needs to be a deterrent.”
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