Montenegro charged by UEFA after racial abuse towards England players

Although England’s 5-1 win away at Montenegro should have stolen the headlines on Monday night, their victory in Podgorica was overshadowed by racial abuse directed at a number of Gareth Southgate’s stars.

As a result of their behaviour, UEFA have announced that Montenegro have been charged by the governing body and disciplinary proceedings have been opened against the side ranked 46th in the world.

Speaking moments after their win at the Stadion Pod Goricom, Southgate confirmed that he heard monkey chants directed at Tottenham defender Danny Rose after he was handed a booking in the final moments of the match.

Well done to Gareth Southgate for telling it how it is. pic.twitter.com/8KJgQyGQFp

— GOAL (@goal) March 26, 2019

 

Montenegro charged for racial abuse

Following the ugly scenes on Monday night, the PFA’s deputy chief executive Bobby Barnes, the FIFPro European President, confirmed that he had spoken with UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin about the incidents and received assurances it would be dealt with.

While Southgate may have discussed the incident at full-time and Manchester City winger Raheem Sterling posted a message on social media to confirm the abuse that he and his teammates received, Montenegro boss Ljubisa Tumbakovic stated he did not “hear or notice any” racist abuse.

Another England star who has commented on the racial abuse that they received in Podgorica was Chelsea starlet and Three Lions debutant, Callum Hudson-Odoi.

The 18-year-old confirmed he and Rose had heard supporters “saying monkey stuff” during the first half, with Sterling making a point of cupping his ears towards the most vociferous section of the home support after scoring England’s fifth goal.

In a statement released on Tuesday morning, UEFA confirmed that they have opened disciplinary proceedings against Montenegro for racial abuse along with a long with a list of other offences.

The governing body also stated that the case will be dealt with by the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary on May 16th.

“Disciplinary proceedings have been opened following the European Qualifiers group A match between Montenegro and England (1-5), played on 25 March in Montenegro,” the statement read.

“Charges against Montenegro:

– Setting off of fireworks – Art. 16 (2) of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations
– Throwing of objects – Art. 16 (2) DR
– Racist behaviour – Art. 14 DR
– Crowd disturbances – Art. 16 (2) DR
– Stairways blocked – Art. 38 of the UEFA Safety and Security Regulations

“The case will be dealt with by the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary on 16 May.”

The minimum punishment from UEFA for an incident of racism is a partial stadium closure, while a second offence results in one match being played behind closed doors and a fine of 50,000 euros (£42,500).

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