UEFA condemns racist violence against English players as a "disaster" | Football News

Theresa May's spokeswoman calls the abuse "disgusting and totally unacceptable"; The FA calls it "abominable racist songs"

UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin has described the racist violence committed by Montenegrin supporters as "disaster" by English fans.

Montenegro has been accused of racist behavior by UEFA after several English players, including Raheem Sterling, Danny Rose and Callum Hudson-Odoi, were targeted for racist abuse in Monday's European qualifier.

"It's a disaster," Ceferin told the press at the European Club Association's general badembly in Amsterdam.

"I can not say anymore because it's now the business of our discipline committee, but I can not believe these people still exist."

The Russian Federation reacted to what it describes as "hateful racist songs" during the Podgorica match.

"On Monday night, English players were subjected to hateful racist chants while they were competing in a UEFA EURO 2020 qualifier in Montenegro," the FA tweeted.

"This is unacceptable at all levels of the game and we welcome the decision taken today by UEFA to take disciplinary action.

"Our immediate goal is to support UEFA in its investigation, as well as the players and staff involved.

"The problems we saw last night are not isolated from any particular country and, despite the progress made, English football still has its own incidents of discrimination.

"Our experience is that by combining both sanctions and education, while working alongside activists like Kick It Out, real progress can be made. But there is still a lot to do.

"Football is a game for all and we must all take responsibility for working together and sharing our experiences and learning to combat discrimination in football."

Prime Minister Spokeswoman Theresa May urged UEFA to "take bold and swift action", calling the abuse "disgusting and totally unacceptable".

The Englishman Sterling, who has already lashed out against racism this season, called for a stadium ban after the abuses, wondering what impact the fines would have.

The regulation of the governing body of European football states that, if supporters adopt a racist behavior, "the responsible badociation or the club responsible is punished with a minimum of partial closure of the stadium".

Article 14 also provides that additional disciplinary measures may be imposed depending on the situation, while "disciplinary measures may be combined with specific directives to combat this behavior".

Gareth Southgate confirmed that England would report the abuse immediately after the 5-1 win, after confirming he heard the Tottenham Rose defender mistreated after a 93rd minute booking.

Callum Hudson-Odoi also insisted that he hear monkey singing from local fans.

But Montenegro head coach Ljubisa Tumbakovic said he did not hear racist songs targeting English players.

Montenegro is also facing charges related to crowd movements, the launching of artefacts, the opening of fireworks and the blocking of stairs in the Gradski stadium.

UEFA said the case would be heard by its governing body, ethics and discipline on May 16, before the next round of qualifying matches in June. The next match of Montenegro will also be at home when it faces Kosovo on 7 June.

Prior to the announcement of the charges, anti-racist activists and politicians asked UEFA to change its approach to racism, saying Monday's incidents had shown that current regulations were not working.

Kick It Out activist, Troy Townsend, said that UEFA had "failed the match" in its handling of racist abuses.