By Andrew Warshaw
November 1 – Serbian authorities have now named Steven Caulker (pictured, right), Thomas Lees and assistant coach Steve Wigley as the three members of the England party charged over the mass brawl that followed the 2013 UEFA European Under-21 Championship playoff in Kruševac last month.
The identity of the three comes 48 hours after Serbian Interior Ministry announced that criminal charges had been pressed against 12 players, fans and officials following the explosive encounter that was marred by allegations of racism – although that number has now been reduced to 11.
Neither the England management team nor the players concerned have been officially informed of the charges.
The fracas occurred after the England under-21 side completed a 2-0 aggregate victory to secure qualification for next year’s finals in Israel.
England’s Danny Rose was given a second yellow card for kicking the ball into the crowd at the final whistle in disgust at being subjected to racist chants from the crowd.
UEFA has charged both associations over their players’ conduct and the cases will be heard at a meeting of its control and disciplinary body on November 22.
The hosts denied any form of racism but 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.
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