Serbian FA denies racism claims

Danny Rose is shown a red card

The Serbian Football Association has angrily denied allegations claiming their supporters directed racist abuse towards the England Under-21 team.

In a controversial statement released on Tuesday, less than 24 hours after ugly scenes marred the end of the Euro 2013 play-off second leg in Kruševac, the Serbian FA accused Danny Rose – who claims he was subject to monkey chants throughout the match - of "inappropriate, unsportsmanlike and vulgar" behaviour.

The 22-year-old received a post-match red card after responding to the alleged chants by kicking the ball away, before scuffles broke out between the two teams, minutes after Connor Wickham had scored a stoppage-time goal to guarantee England’s place at next summer’s tournament in Israel.

However, despite that, the Serbian FA remains adamant there was a "spirit of fair play on the pitch and in the stands".

"Making connection between the seen incident - a fight between members of the two teams - and racism has absolutely no ground and we consider it to be a total malevolence,” the statement read. "Unfortunately, after the fourth minute of the additional time and the victory goal scored by the guest team, unpleasant scenes were seen on the pitch.

"And while most of the English team players celebrated the score, their player number three, Danny Rose, behaved in inappropriate, unsportsmanlike and vulgar manner towards the supporters on the stands at the stadium in Kruševac, and for that he was shown a red card."

Hugh Robertson, the sports minister, has written to Uefa president Michel Platini following "extreme provocation and racism", while Prime Minister David Cameron has urged Uefa to impose “tough sanctions” on racism.

Meanwhile, the English Football Association are poised to begin the hunt for a new chairman after David Bernstein was told that he must exit his post by May.

Bernstein had hoped to complete his three-year term, but the FA Council have decided against allowing him to continue after the 70-year age limit.

“I respect the decision and I remain committed to fulfilling my responsibilities and to building on what we have achieved over the past two years,” Bernstein told thefa.com. "Next year is a significant one in The FA's history and I look forward to leading the organisation in the months ahead.”

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