Angry FA hit out over UEFA's Serbia fine
The Football Association and the Ferdinand brothers led a wave of angry reaction tonight to UEFA's fine for Serbia.
UEFA needs to punish Serbia to ensure its credibility
There can little doubt over whether Serbia should and will be punished; but it is the level of punishment from UEFA that is important.
UEFA launches proceedings against England and Serbia
UEFA has announced it is to instigate proceedings against England and Serbia following the side's U21's match on Tuesday night.
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Ex-Arsenal midfielder: More action needed against racism
Former Arsenal footballer and PFA Coach Educator Paul Davis has told ITV News that "for far too long we've had a lot of talking (about tackling racism) but not a great deal of action."
Today Serbia were fined €80,000 (£64,955) and their Under-21 team will play one match behind closed doors after racist chanting of fans at their U-21 European Championship qualifier against England.
Ferdinand: 'UEFA are not serious at all on racism'
England players have responded negatively to UEFA's punishment of the Serbian FA over racist chants from its fans:
Uefa are not serious at all on racism. Fines do not work at all. They have zero impact on federations/clubs/fans/players. #fact
From @rioferdy5 on Twitter:Uefa need to talk to this generation.....they don't seem to be up to date on this issue?? Harsh punishments needed as a deterrent #simple
From @rioferdy5 on Twitter:I see UEFA have made a mockery once again of racism in football,absolute joke, bet it would’ve been different if it was the other way round!
From @Johnruddy86 on Twitter:Advertisement
FA: Disappointed with UEFA's punishment of players
The FA has responded to UEFA 's punishment over England's U-21 match against Serbia:
We are disappointed with the sanctions levied by UEFA with regards to the racist behaviour displayed towards England’s players.
Let’s be clear, racism is unacceptable in any form, and should play no part in football.
The scenes were deplorable and we do not believe the sanction sends a strong enough message.
– FA General Secretary Alex HorneIt is The FA’s vehement belief that its players and staff acted correctly in the face of provocation, including racist abuse and missiles being thrown.
We are therefore surprised to see that two of our players have been given suspensions.
We shall await UEFA’s reasoning but it is our intention, at this stage, to support our players and appeal these decisions.
Serbia fine less than Bendtner's underwear punishment
How Serbia's €80,000 (£64,946) fine compares to other UEFA punishments:
- June 2012: Niklas Bendtner fined £80,000 for displaying bookmaker's logo on his underwear during game
- June 2009: Chelsea fined £85,000 for failure to control players and fans
- March 2012: Arsenal manager fined £33,000 for confronting match referee
- June 2012: Russia fined £24,000 and Spain fined £16,137 for fans' behaviour at Euro 2012
Longer bans given to Serbian players and staff
UEFA confirmed it had handed out a series of bans to Serbia Under-21 players and staff:
- Goran Caušic (four matches)
- Ognjen Mudrinski (three matches)
- Filip Malbašic (three matches)
- Nikola Ninkovic (two matches)
- Coach Predrag Katic (two years)
- Fitness coach Andreja Milunovic (two years)
UEFA warns English FA over 'improper conduct'
UEFA also confirmed that a Serbian complaint against the English FA had been dismissed but that the FA would be warned for receiving "more than five cautions."
The UEFA Control and Disciplinary Body decided to dismiss the disciplinary proceedings opened against The Football Association.
The FA has received a warning for improper conduct by its team (more than five cautions).
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UEFA: Caulker and Ince banned
UEFA confirmed that two England players would be banned for Under-21 games:
The ruling read:
- Suspend England player Steven Caulker for two UEFA national team competition matches. This suspension applies to the following games: England v Italy on 5 June 2013 and England v Norway on 8 June 2013.
- Suspend England player Thomas Ince for one UEFA national team competition match. This suspension applies to the following game: England v Italy on 5 June 2013.
UEFA: Serbia U-21 to play home match behind closed doors
UEFA confirmed that the Serbian Under-21 team will be forced to play its next European competition home match behind closed doors.
A statement said:
The UEFA Control and Disciplinary Body has ordered the Serbian Under-21 national team to play their next UEFA competition home match behind closed doors, following a number of incidents that occurred during and after the 2013 UEFA European Under-21 Championship play-off second-leg match against England at the Mladost Stadium in Krusevac on 16 October.
The Football Association of Serbia (FSS) has also been fined €80,000.
Report: Tom Ince banned for one game after Serbia violence
Bryan Swanson is Sky Sports' chief news reporter:
England U21 - Tom Ince banned for one game (v Italy) #uefa
From @skysports_bryan on Twitter:Report: England defender banned over Serbia incident
Bryan Swanson is Sky Sports' chief news reporter:
England U21 - Steven Caulker banned for 2 matches (v Italy and Norway) #uefa
From @skysports_bryan on Twitter:Today's top stories
