FA "disappointed" at Uefa fine
The FA feels it has been punished unfairly
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Friday, 13, Jul 2007 01:17
The Football Association has reacted angrily to Uefa's decision to fine them for the actions of England's under-21 players after being racially abused by Serbian fans and players last month.
Uefa have levied a €3,000 (£2,000) fine against the FA for "the improper conduct" of their players during a European Under-21 Championship group game.
The Serbian FA have been handed a €24,000 (£16,000) fine for the incidents involving their supporters and players at the June 17th fixture.
Several members of the England team were subjected to monkey chants by a number of Serbian fans at the fixture in Nijmegen, which England won 2-0, and there was trouble in the tunnel between the two sets of players afterwards.
Serbia's players were also incensed during the game when Blackburn Rovers striker Matt Derbyshire scored England's second goal while one of the opposition team was down injured.
However the goal was allowed to stand and during angry exchanges on the pitch and after the game, several England players alleged they were taunted with racist slurs by the Serbian contingent.
The FA have said they are "disappointed" by the decision of Uefa's control and disciplinary body, which is not subject to an appeal because the total fine does not exceed 5,000 Swiss francs.
"We are very disappointed in this decision as we don't believe that the England players were to blame for this incident," a spokesperson for the FA said.
"In our view they conducted themselves with great restraint in the face of provocation. We are also disappointed that Uefa's rules do not allow us to appeal."
The Serbian FA will be allowed to appeal against the decision, if they so wish, and must do so within three days.