UEFA under-fire for handing Serbia lenient fines

 
p76 KRUSEVAC, SERBIA - OCTOBER 16: Danny Rose
Srdjan Stevanovic/Getty Images
14 December 2012

UEFA have been targeted by angry criticism after dealing more leniently with Serbia for racist chanting than former Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner for displaying a betting firm's logo on his underpants.

The Serbia FA were fined 80,000 euros (£65,000) and ordered to play a match behind closed doors following racist chanting and scenes of violence towards England's Under-21 players.

QPR defender Anton Ferdinand, the target of racial abuse by John Terry last year, contrasted that sanction with a 100,000 euro and one-match ban handed to Bendtner during Euro 2012.

Ferdinand tweeted: "Wow UEFA ain't serious with their punishment... So showin a sponsor is worst than racism and fighting!"

The Football Association also criticised the sanction and will appeal against two-match and one-match bans for Steven Caulker and Tom Ince respectively.

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."

The FA had reported the racist abuse to UEFA plus a number of other incidents.

Full-back Danny Rose, who was dismissed after the final whistle for kicking the ball away in anger, complained he had been subjected to monkey chants throughout the match and as he left the pitch.

Serbian FA secretary general Zoran Lakovic appeared to suggest that the UEFA official prosecuting the charges had also demanded tougher action.

Lakovic said in a statement: "If we take into account what the drastic proposed penalty by the disciplinary inspector Jean-Samuel Leube we have not been hit so hard.

"I believe that this is a final warning to all of us who work in Serbian football, including coaches and players and fans, because for even the smallest mistake UEFA can now impose the most rigorous punishment."

Lord Herman Ouseley, chairman of Kick It Out, slammed the sanction as "a paltry slap on the wrist", adding: "Again we haven't seen decisive action from UEFA."

Piara Powar, executive director of European anti-discrimination body FARE, said UEFA had failed to display the necessary leadership.

Powar said: "The original offences warranted a more severe collective punishment than a ban on spectators for one match.

"This is a moment in which leadership to challenge discrimination is needed from all authorities. This sanction falls short of that objective."

Serbia and the FA have three days in which to lodge an appeal - while UEFA themselves can also appeal against the control and disciplinary body if they too think the independent commission have been too lenient.

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