By Andrew Warshaw
October 17 – The English Football Association (FA) has reported its Serbian counterparts to UEFA after worrying scenes marred the 2013 Under-21 European Championship playoff fixture between the sides last night.
In an ugly end to the game in Kruševac, just after England’s injury time goal that clinched a 1-0 win, defender Danny Rose was sent off after the final whistle after apparently responding angrily to taunts of racism.
Scuffles also broke out when supporters invaded the pitch moments after Connor Wickham struck to give England a 2-0 aggregate success to qualify for next year’s finals in Israel.
Rose (pictured below, centre), who had earlier been booked, kicked the ball away angrily and had to be restrained as he reacted to apparent provocation by mimicking a monkey to demonstrate what had happened.
At the same time England players and officials appeared to be physically attacked by some of the home side as they tried to enter the tunnel.
“The FA condemns both the scenes of racism and the confrontation at the final whistle during which time our players and staff were under extreme provocation,” a statement from the FA read.
“The FA has reported a number of incidents of racism to UEFA following the fixture.
“These were seemingly aimed at a number of England black players by the crowd.
“The matter is now with UEFA.”
Stuart Pearce, England’s head coach, told ESPN: “I never want to see any football matches end like that, this is a sporting arena.
“It is very sad, but we are united as a team and as staff.
“A lot is happening in our country with regard to stamping out racism and I am very proud of the reaction of our players towards the end.
“It is a real shame because over two ties it was a really close game – two good teams going hammer and tongs at each other.
“It is just a shame it was soured in the last few minutes of the second leg of the tie.”
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