UEFA Will Investigate Montenegro

(ATR) European football’s governing body UEFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against Montenegro following reports of racist chanting aimed at several visiting England players during Monday’s Euro 2020 qualifier.

In addition to a charge of "racist behavior", Montenegro must answer for four other breaches of UEFA rules including setting off fireworks, throwing of objects, crowd disturbances and blocked stairways.

The UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary commission will deal with the case on May 16.

The anti-discrimination group Fare revealed on Twitter that it had sent an observer to Podgorica because the match had been identified as a high risk for racism. The organization says "our monitoring team have been compiling the evidence we have before presenting it to UEFA."

England won the match in Podgorica 5-1. After scoring England's final goal in the 81st minute, Raheem Sterling celebrated by putting his hands to his ears. He told reporters the gesture was a response to the racist abuse.

Afterward in the mixed zone, Sterling told Sky Sports that UEFA must come down hard on Montenegro.

"It's 2019, I keep saying it, and it's a shame to see this keeps going on. We can only bring awareness and light to the situation. It's now time for the people in charge to put a real stamp on it. You've got to punish people a bit harder, you've gotta do something that makes them think twice."

Another anti-discrimination body, Kick It Out, agrees with Sterling, saying on Twitter "As we've argued countless times, it's time for @UEFA to take strong, decisive action -- fines won't do. Extended stadium bans or tournament expulsion are what's needed."

UEFA has historically done little more than hand out often paltry fines to the football associations and clubs whose fans have been guilty of racist chants.

If Montenegro is found guilty of the racism charge, UEFA disciplinary regulations call for the partial closure of the stadium as a minimum sanction. A second offense would mean playing one home match behind closed doors and a fine of 50,000 euros. Only after three or more instances of racism would the possibility of forfeiting a match, points deductions and/or disqualification from the competition be considered.

The Football Association of Montenegro said in a statement that it would not comment on the allegations "in compliance with the rules of the proceedings".

But it added that should racist behavior be proven, the "Football Association of Montenegro will undertake all necessary measures to identify the irresponsible individuals who might have incited such behavior which will constitute the grounds for their being banned from all matches organized by our Association".

Written by Gerard Farek

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