Cameron ‘appalled’ after Serb
match ends in race abuse row

Prime Minister David Cameron yesterday said he was “appalled” over ugly scenes at an under-21 match between England and Serbia which have led to official claims a Yorkshire-born footballer was a victim of racial abuse.

The Government has given its full backing to a Football Association complaint over alleged racist taunts at the end of the clash on Tuesday night, which focused on former Leeds United academy star Danny Rose, from Doncaster.

Mr Cameron’s official spokesman said Sports Minister Hugh Robertson had written to Uefa president Michel Platini urging an investigation, and said Britain expects “tough sanctions” if racism is proved.

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The Serbian FA has denied any form of racism occurred at the match in Krusevac and said England defender Rose, 22, behaved in an “inappropriate, unsportsmanlike and vulgar manner” towards their fans.

Mr Cameron’s spokesman added: “We are determined to stamp out racism internationally and at home and we are giving our full backing to the FA’s complaint.

“If we are going to stamp out racism from football, then it is no good giving derisory fines, as have been handed out in the past. It is not good enough to say that people should shake hands and forget about it.”

Rose complained of racist abuse, including monkey chants, during the Euro 2013 play-off and said he was also hit by missiles thrown from the crowd.

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The Tottenham player, currently on loan at Sunderland, was sent off after the final whistle for kicking a ball in anger as scuffles broke out involving Serbian supporters, players and officials.

In his letter to Mr Platini, Mr Robertson said: “The scenes at the end of the game last night were disgraceful.

“I have written to Uefa president Michel Platini, in support of the FA, urging them to investigate immediately.

“Racism in any form is unacceptable and must be stamped out. We would expect tough sanctions from Uefa on anyone found guilty of racist abuse.”

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YouTube clips filmed at the game appear to show monkey chants after the final whistle, during a fracas in which Rose was shown a red card.

In a statement released on its website, the Serbian FA said: “FA of Serbia absolutely refuses (sic) and denies that there were any occurrences of racism before and during the match at the stadium in Krusevac.

“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.

“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.

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“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 Krusevac, and for that he was shown a red card.”

Rose said yesterday: “I remember getting slapped twice and then I got ushered away. That’s when I kicked the ball – and the referee sent me off. I don’t understand, the game had finished by then but he still sent me off for kicking the ball.

“As I went off again there was monkey chanting, but the monkey chanting started long before I got sent off. After 60 minutes my head wasn’t really on the game. They have to be banned. I don’t understand how else they can learn from it.”

England’s 1-0 win means they qualify for the Euro 2013 finals in Israel.

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