TheFA.com

FA response to U21 sanctions

  • Thursday, 13 December, 2012
  • England celebrate Connor Wickham's winner in Serbia.

Steven Caulker and Tom Ince receive suspensions for Euro 2013 matches


The FA acknowledges UEFA’s announcement in relation to the recent Serbia versus England Under-21 fixture in Krusevac.

The Football Association of Serbia has been fined £65,000 (€80,000) and ordered to play one Under-21 fixture behind closed doors.

This is due to the improper conduct of its supporters during and at the end of the Euro 2013 play-off match on 16 October 2012, as well as for the improper conduct of the Serbia players at the end of the game.

A number of Serbian players and coaching staff have also been suspended.

FA General Secretary, Alex Horne, said: “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.”

England players Steven Caulker and Tom Ince, who had each been charged by UEFA individually, have also been given suspensions.

Caulker has been handed a two-match suspension for the opening games of the 2013 UEFA European Under-21 Championship against Italy and Norway respectively.

Ince will face a one-match suspension against Italy in the same tournament, which will be held in Israel next summer.

However, UEFA has confirmed The FA itself will face no sanctions in relation to the conduct of its representatives.

Horne added: “It 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.”

Head Coach Stuart Pearce said: “I am concerned to see our players suspended by UEFA and we will continue to support them.

"I maintain that our players played no part in the aggression. From what I witnessed our players and staff were forced to protect themselves in the violent scenes that followed the game.”

The FA will await full written reasons from UEFA’s control and disciplinary body, and will have three days from the receipt of these reasons to appeal the decision.

Aside from the suspensions for Ince and Caulker, The FA has been warned by UEFA for the team accumulating more than five cautions during the game.

Meanwhile, Danny Rose will still face a one-match suspension from UEFA for his sending off after the final whistle.

What Do You Think?

  • The situation is a mess. It's a well known fact that UEFA (lead by FRENCH Michele Platini) has an extreme xenophobia towards England. All of Serbia's football teams should be expelled from all UEFA and FIFA competitions, like England were in the 1980's. I can bet my house that if this monstrosity occurred against Spain or France, Serbia would've been kicked out from UEFA into next-week. But no, it's against England, so they turn the screw on us. The FA must back our players, consider taking up a law suit against UEFA and Serbia, issue nationwide arrest Warrens for the players and fans of Serbia, and ban any English club or team from playing in Serbia. By anonymous (5 months ago)
  • The sanction by UEFA against Serbia is a joke. The punishment, if you can describe it as so, sends out the message that racism is acceptable. I don't know what the UEFA board members are doing this weekend, but if I was one of them and attending a football match, I would be embarrassed to look a black player in the eye knowing that I had the opportunity of sending a clear message about racism to all football teams. It is easy for me to write and vent my anger, but as a football fan, I ask you to consider the following. Please send a message to all teams that you will back them if they walk off the pitch due to racist chanting. The message has to get back to UEFA that enough is enough. Whatever sanctions UEFA threaten or give to the team, the FA's message should be, "We back the decision, to walk off, by Anyteam FC and we will back any other team from England to respond in a similar matter should any similar racist chanting occur." Then UEFA will have to start listening. By AngryFan (5 months ago)
  • if the fa fail to support the players it will be a disgrace, especially after the way they supported rooney, which in itself was a farce. these players represented england in a commendable way under extreme provocation, so should be backed 100% by the fa and all fans.By anonymous (5 months ago)
  • UEFA is a joke. It's time England started the ball rolling for many countries by disassociating itself from FIFA as a whole. There needs to be a new transparent body in control of the world game and the only way to do that is to boycott it altogether. One member from every country, with a new president every 4 years no matter what. The way FIFA/UEFA go about things sums up what is wrong with the world today... time for massive changes.By Smev (5 months ago)