BELGRADE — The Serbian Football Federation Wednesday denied there was any racist abuse hurled at English Under-21 players during their match against Serbia and slammed defender Danny Rose for vulgar behavior. “The Serbian FA resolutely rejects and denies that there was any racist incident in the Krusevac Stadium, before and during the match,” it said in a statement. It went on to blast any attempt to tie claims of racist abuse by English players to scuffles that broke out after the match as “malicious”. England won the match in Krusevac Tuesday night 2-0 on aggregate with an injury-time goal to secure them qualification for next year's European championships. In chaotic scenes, England defender Danny Rose was sent off for kicking the ball away in response to what he said was monkey chanting and physical provocation, as scuffles broke out between players, coaches and supporters at the end of the match. The Serbian federation went on to blame Rose for the events accusing him of “extremely inappropriate, unsportsmanlike and vulgar behavior toward spectators in the stadium, which is why he got a red card”. The British government, menwhile, wrote to UEFA President Michel Platini Wednesday demanding “tough sanctions” against Serbia. The FA reported the racist abuse to UEFA during the match and was submitting its formal complaint. — Agencies
