Football: England urge action against Serbia

There were claims that several England under-21 players were subjected to racist abuse.

LONDON: Britain Prime Minister David Cameron led calls for European football’s governing body to take a strong line against Serbia, after claims that several England under-21 players were subjected to racist abuse. The British leader was said to have been ‘appalled’ at the scenes from the match in Krusevac on Tuesday night, which England won 2-0 on aggregate with an injury-time goal to secure them qualification for next year’s European championships. Cameron wanted ‘tough sanctions’ against Serbian football if racism is proven. Sports minister Hugh Robertson also backed action, adding that he had written to Uefa President Michel Platini about the game. In chaotic scenes, England defender Danny Rose was sent off for kicking the ball away in response to what he said was monkey chanting and physical provocation, as scuffles broke out between players, coaches and supporters at the end of the match.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 18^th, 2012.