February 18 – UEFA have increased the penalty on Serbia following the explosive Euro 2013 under-21 play-off match against England in October.
UEFA boss Michel Platini made it clear he was not satisfied with the leniency shown towards Serbia who were originally ordered to play one home match behind closed doors and had a number of players suspended for between two and four games but were only fined €80,000 for the racist behaviour of their supporters.
UEFA lodged an appeal against the decision of their own disciplinary panel and the Serbian under-21 side have now been ordered to play two games in an empty stadium.
Additionally Serbian fitness coach Andreja Milutinović has been suspended from all football-related activities for two years while Nikola Ninković had his two-match ban increased to three.
The appeals body sat for several hours while it considered a report from UEFA inspectors suggesting it could kick Serbia out of the next under-21 competition, and increase a fine of €80,000. Panel members chose instead to uphold the fine, though doubled a one-match stadium ban.
The body also lifted the ban on England’s Steven Caulker following the mass brawl that followed the final whistle in Krusevac. Instead the Tottenham defender, who will now be eligible for the finals in Israel in the summer, was issued with a warning in respect of his future conduct, and ordered to perform one full day of community football service.
But England midfielder Thomas Ince had his one-match ban upheld and will miss a June 5 match against Italy in Tel Aviv if selected for the tournament.
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