Montenegro to play behind closed doors after racist abuse towards England players
Written by News on 27/04/2019
Montenegro say UEFA is forcing them to play their next European Qualifier behind closed doors as punishment for the racist abuse of England players.
Raheem Sterling called for racist abuse to be punished by teams playing behind closed doors after chanting soured England’s 5-1 win in Montenegro last month.
Montenegro’s game against Kosovo on June 7 will now be played in an empty stadium, UEFA have ordered.
UEFA has also fined Montenegro 20,000 euros.
The Football Association of Montenegro statement said it had been “sanctioned” by UEFA “due to the racist outburst of a small number of unreasonable fans”.
As a result, the country’s team will “play the next qualifying game in front of the empty stands of the City Stadium in Podgorica”.
The statement continued: “UEFA’s disciplinary commission obliged the Football Association to display the #EqualGame transparency and the UEFA logo at the same match.
“In addition, our Alliance has been fined 20,000 euros because of the use of pyrotechnics, placing items in the field and blocking passages at the stadium stadium in Podgorica in the match with England.”
A statement from the English Football Association read: “The FA acknowledges UEFA’s decision to sanction the Football Association of Montenegro.
“We hope that their next home match being played behind closed doors sends out a message that racism has no place in football or in wider society.
“We will continue to work with the relevant authorities in football to ensure that all players are able to enjoy the game in a discrimination-free environment.”
The ban and fine follow racist chanting that was aimed at several England players, including Tottenham defender Danny Rose, during March’s Euro 2020 qualifier in Podgorica.
Chelsea forward Callum Hudson-Odoi claimed after the game that he heard monkey chants aimed at England players, and also said he saw an object thrown on the pitch as England celebrated a goal scored by Sterling.
Manchester City forward Sterling, who celebrated England’s fifth goal by cupping his ears towards the Montenegro fans, called on football’s governing bodies to do more to fight racism in football.
Rose said he expected to be racially abused when playing for England in Montenegro last month, but did not want to speak out after the game and take the gloss off his team’s win.
(c) Sky News 2019: Montenegro to play behind closed doors after racist abuse towards England players
