FA in the dark over Serbia match charges

LONDON - Agence France-Presse

Serbian player Milos Ninkovic (L) and England’s Danny Rose (R) react during their 2013 European Under-21 Championship playoff match in Krusevac. AP photo

England’s Football Association has yet to receive confirmation from Serbian police that two of its under-21 players have been charged in relation to scuffles at the end of a European qualifying match.

Police on Oct. 30 announced that they had charged 12 people, including five Serbian and two England players, over the incident in the central town of Krusevac two weeks ago, which the visiting side claimed had been provoked by racist abuse.

Assistant coaches from both sides were also charged with “taking part and committing violence”. None of the suspects was identified.

England won the match 2-0 on aggregate with an injury-time goal to secure qualification for the 2013 European championships. But defender Danny Rose was sent off for kicking the ball away in response to what he claimed was racist chanting.

Scuffles broke out between players, coaches and supporters at the final whistle.

Serbia’s football federation has denied claims of racist chanting against England’s black players and described Rose’s behaviour as “inappropriate, unsportsmanlike and vulgar”.

The Serbians subsequently banned two of their own players for one year and two coaches for two years for their involvement in the clashes.

UEFA charged both countries’ football associations for the incidents and warned Serbia of sanctions if racial abuse charges are proven. A disciplinary hearing has been set for Nov. 22.