By Andrew Warshaw
December 17 – FIFA President Sepp Blatter is to contact his opposite number at UEFA, Michel Platini, to question the meagre sanctions handed to Serbia by Europe’s governing body in the wake of the racism and violence that marred the under-21 tie against England in Kruševac in October.
The Football Association of Serbia (FSS) was fined €80,000 (£65,000/$105,000) and ordered to play its next home under-21 game behind closed doors by UEFA’s Disciplinary Committee, while various Serbian players and coaches and two England players were suspended for varying terms for their roles in the end-of-match fracas, which followed repeated racist chanting from the stands.
The penalties drew widespread condemnation from the English Football Association (FA) given that the sentence on the Serbs was even lower than fine imposed on Denmark’s Nicklas Bendtner for showing off a sponsor’s logo during the 2012 UEFA European Championship finals.
Platini has indicated that he is considering an appeal against the decisions of his own Disciplinary Committee.
Asked about the Serbia issue, Blatter said: “I don’t know the details…but the FIFA stand against racism and discrimination is zero tolerance so I will take up a discussion with the President of UEFA.
“I don’t know if he has any influence on his Disciplinary Committee but at least it is worth putting this attention to an organisation inside FIFA or to ask for details of the file.
“There should be in all football, with every confederation and all national associations strong, harsh punishment when it comes to racism and discrimination.
“We must be very strong — but racism and discrimination do not come from within football but from our society and it is a question of education.”
Platini has three days from receiving the file to decide whether to appeal the judgement.
The FA has already indicated it will appeal the decision to suspend Steven Caulker and Thomas Ince for their part in the melee.
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